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PURCHASED  FROM 
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WILLIAM  C.  SCHERMERHORN 
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OLD   llEDSTONE 


IM^iorltul  llutfjies 


WESTERN    PRESBYTERIAN  ISM, 


EARLY  MINISTERS,  ITS  PERILOUS  TIMES, 


ITS  FIRST  RECORDS. 


5.  JOSEPH    SMITH,    D.D. 


'Remember  the  days  of  old;  consider  the  years  of  many  generations:  ask  thy  father, 
and  he  will  show  thee :  thy  elders,  and  they  will  tell  thee."— Deut.  xxxiL  7. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

LIPPINCOTT,    GRAMBO  &   CO. 

1854. 


TO   THE  READER 


In  the  preparation  of  the  work,  now  submitted  to  your  inspection,  we 
have  availed  ourselves  of  every  source  of  information,  to  which  we 
could  obtain  access.  The  "  History  of  "Western  Pennsylvania,"  (the 
author  of  which  is  not  given  in  the  title  page,) — the  "  History  of  Pitts- 
burg" and  the  "  Olden  Time,"  both  from  the  able  pen  of  Xeville  B. 
Craig,  Esq. — "  Day's  Historical  Collections  of  Pennsylvania" — "  Howe's 
Historical  Collections  of  Virginia,"  and  also  of  "Ohio"  —  "Foote's 
Ecclesiastical  Sketches  of  North  Carolina  and  of  Virginia" — "  David- 
son^s  Ecclesiastical  History  of  Kentucky" — the  printed  "Records  of 
the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia" — "Alexander's  *  Log  College' " 
—"Miller's  Life  of  Dr.  Rogers"— " Miller's  (J.  P.)  Sketches  and  Ser- 
mons"— the  "  Western  Missionary  Magazine" — "  The  American  Pio- 
neer,"— "  Brackenridges's,  Findley's,  and  Carnahan's  '  "Western  Insur- 
rection' " — "  Colonial  Records  of  Pennsylvania,"  and  "  Hazard's  Penn- 
sylvania Archives,"  and  numerous  other  works,  have  been  carefully 
consulted.  We  are  also  greatly  indebted  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Elliott,  William 
Darby,  Esq.,  N.  B.  Craig,  Esq.,  the  Rev.  Lemuel  F.  Leake,  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Jacob  Lindley  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  William  Wylie,  for  essential  aid  in 
a  great  variety  of  particulars.  We  might  indeed  greatly  extend  this 
list  of  kind  friends  who  have  rendered  us  special  sen'ico.  But  perhaps 
it  is  unnecessary  to  parade  the  names  of  all  in  a  matter  of  this  kind. 
We  cannot  forbear  to  mention  that  Wilson  Shannon,  Esq.,  Ex-Governor 
of  Ohio,  has  given  us  much  assistance  in  procuring  some  valuable  sources 
of  information  from  Washington  City.  To  the  Rev.  Dr.  Carnahan,  of 
Princeton,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Van  Renselaer,  of  Philadelphia,  we  are  under 
special  obligations  also.    We  have  not  deemed  it  necessary  to  crowd 

(v) 


VI  TO   THE   READER. 

our  pages  with  references  to  our  authorities,  knowing  that  but  few 
readers  would  thank  us  for  that  trouble,  and  that  those  who  are  con- 
cerned to  be  accurately  informed  in  any  particular,  will  have  no  diffi- 
culty, in  most  instances,  in  referring  to  many  of  the  sources  to  which 
we  have  thus  in  general  referred. 

The  celebrated  Scottish  geologist,  Hugh  Miller,  has  written  a  book 
about  the  "  Old  Red  Sandstone."  To  the  scientific  world,  it  has  been  a 
rare  treat.  We  cannot  spread  before  you  such  a  repast,  if  your  taste 
inclines  you  to  revel  upon  "Ichthyosauri,"  " Glyptolepes,"  "Diplop- 
teri,"  "  Chondropterygii,"  and  other  such  euphonious  sounds  in  the 
science  of  Palaeontology.  But  we  offer  you  a  book  about  "  Old  Red- 
stone"— its  Presbytery,  its  men,  and  its  times.  To  the  mere  geologist, 
such  a  work  can  have  few  attractions.  But  we  doubt  not  that  such  a 
a  Christian  geologist  as  Professor  Miller  would  not  disdain  to  turn  from 
"  Old  Red  Sandstone,"  to  "  Old  Redstone." 

Fire  was  perhaps  the  agent  in  the  present  condition  of  the  former. 
The  fires  of  many  sore  trials  and  sorrows  conspired  to  reform  and  fit 
for  Heaven,  the  men  of  the  latter.  AYhen  the  final  conflagration  shall 
have  melted  down,  and  consumed  forever  the  former.  Old  Redstone 
Christians  shall  shine  as  the  stars  in  the  firmament  of  Heaven.  Let  us 
tell  you  of  those  times  and  of  the  leaders  of  the  sacramental  host.  Much 
is  irretrievably  lost  that  ought  to  be  told.  No  pains  have  been  spared 
to  gather  up  the  fragments  that  have  been  left ;  and  here  are  some  of 
them,  gentle  reader,  at  your  service.  More  are  at  hand,  should  they 
ever  be  called  for. 

The  Biographical  Sketches  which  appear  in  this  volume,  were  pre- 
pared for  publication  in  the  form  of  "  notes"  to  the  "  Records  of  Pres- 
bytery." After  the  work  had  been  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Stereo- 
typer,  this  plan  was  changed,  but  by  a  misunderstanding  on  the  part 
of  the  Printer,  the  sketches  of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Brice  and  Hughes  were 
left  in  the  form  of  "  notes."  Although  this  circumstance  cannot  affect 
the  value  of  those  sketches,  and  much  less  the  character  of  those  eminent 
men,  we  have  thought  this  statement  due  to  all  concerned,  lest  any  mis- 
apprehension might  arise. 

Elizabeth,  July,  1854. 


CONTENTS. 


Page 
Introduction. — Reasons  -why  the  Reminiscences  of  Early  Western 

Presbyterianism  should  be  collected  and  preserved  . .  .Page     11 
CHAPTER  I.  — An  Historical  Sketch  of  the  Western  Country, 

from  its  first  settlement 21 

Life  and  Times  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Smith,  and  some  notices  of  Mrs. 

E.  Smith 51 

CHAPTER  II. — Manners,  Customs,  Usages,  and  Domestic  Circum- 
stances of  the  Country,  prior  to,  and  during  the  existence 

of  the  old  Redstone  Presbytery 93 

CHAPTER  III.— History  of  the  early  Efforts  to  introduce  the  Gos- 
pel ;  including  some  account  of  the  Rev.  Charles  Beatty, 

one  of  the  first  Missionaries Ill 

CHAPTER  IV. — General  Facts  and  Circumstances,  respecting  the 

Old  Presbytery  and  its  members 128 

A  Sketch  of  the  Life  of  the  Rev.  Thaddeus  Dod 130 

CHAPTER  v.— Houses  of  Worship,  Sacramental  Scenes,  Stoves 

in  Churches,  Baptisms,  Catechising,  Privations,  &c 152 

A  Sketch  of  the  Life  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  M'Millan 160 

CHAPTER  VI.— The  Rural  State  of  Presbyterianism  in  the  West 

seventy  years  ago;  Religious  Conversation  then  prevalent .  216 

(vii) 


Vm  CONTENTS. 

Page 

A  Biographical  Sketch  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  James  Power,  Avitli  some 

account  of  the  Burning  of  Hanna's-town,  which  occurred 

in  one  of  his  Congregations 225 

CHAPTER    VII.  —  Temperance,    and    the    Whiskey    Insurrec- 

'  tion 250 

CHAPTER  VIII.— The  Bright  Side  of  the  Picture  — the  Sources 

of  support,  comfort  and  joy  which  our  fathers  experienced  .  269 

A  Biographical  Sketch  of  the  Rev.  James  Finley 279 

CHAPTER  IX.— The  Views  and  Practice  of  our  forefathers  on 

the  subject  of  Psalmody 290 

A  Biographical  Sketch  of  the  Rev.  John  Clark 297 

A  Biographical  Sketch  of  the  Rev,  James  Dunlap,  D.D 301 

CHAPTER  X.— Early  Troubles  of  our  Ministers  and  People  about 

State  Boundaries 304 

CHAPTER  XI.— Other  Evangelical  Bodies  in  the  West 307 

RECORDS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERY  OF  REDSTONE  —  from 

1781  to  1793,  with  copious  Notes,  &c 311 

Note  1.  Redstone  —  Origin  of  the  Name 311 

"    2.  First  Meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone,  one  month 

before  the"  Surrender  of  Cornwallis,  at  Yorktown 312 

"    3.  Pigeon  Creek  Congregation,  History  of 312 

"    4.  1781-2,  Years  of  Trial  and  Sorrow 314 

"    5.  Dunlap's  Creek  Congregation,  History  of 315 

"     6.  Mr.  Dod's  Absence  from  Presbytery:  Why  ? 316 

"    7.  James  Edgar,  Judge,  Sketch  of  his  Life 316 

"    8.  Ohio  Court-house 318 

"    9.  Westminster  Directory,  about  Marriage 318 

"  10.  Pennsylvania  Law  about  Marriage 321 

"  11.  Congregational  Settlements,  their  Remarkable  Origin  . . .  322 

"  12.  Mount  Pleasant  Congregation,  History  of 323 

"  13.  Buffalo  Congregation,  History  of 326 

"  14.  Pittsburg,  singular  History  of 327 

"  15.  Chartiers  Congregation,  History  of 329 


CONTENTS.  IX 

Paoe 

Note  10.  Dr.  Ewing,  the  Boundary  Line,  and  the  Bibles 331 

"     17.  Rehoboth  and  Roundhill  Congregations 332 

"     18.  Strange  Circumstance  about  Mr.  Finley's  Dismission  from 

New  Castle  Presbytery 334 

"    19.  Mr.  Hughey,  Hughy,  or  Huey,  his  Slippery  Name  and 

Character 330 

"    20.  Fast-day,  Reference  to  previous  Revivals 336 

"     21.  The  action  of  Presbytery  about  the  lax  Administration  of 

Baptism 338 

**    22.  Mr.  Addison :  Why  not  received 339 

"     23.  Mr.  Addison  turned  Lawyer,  and  became  a  Judge 340 

"     24.  John  Brice,  Sketch  of  his  Life 343 

*<     25.  James  Hughes,  Sketch  of  his  Life 344 

*'     26.  Waite  Cornwell,  Some  Account  of 348 

"     27.  Lebanon  Congregation,  History  of 351 

"     28.  1787,  Why  a  Remarkable  Year 351 

"     29.  Bethel  Congregation,  History  of 353 

"     30.  The  New  England  Emigrants 355 

*'     31.  John  Coleman,  His  Singular  Case    , . . . .  356 

"     32.  James  M'Gready,  Sketch  of  the  Life  of 359 

*'     33.  The  Presbytery  requiring  Promises  of  Parents 359 

"  '  34.  John  M'Pherrin,  Sketch  of  the  Life  of 307 

"     35.  Samuel  Porter,  A  Brief  Memoir  of . , 368 

"    36.  First  Commissioners  to  the  General  Assembly 374 

"    37.  Pittsburg  Congregation,  History  of 375 

"     38.  Laurel  Hill  Congregation,  History  of 383 

*'     39.  Raccoon  Congregation,  History  of,  and  of  the  Rev.  Joseph 

Patterson 384 

"     40.  Short  Creek  Congregation,  History  of 411 

"    41.  George  Hill,  Sketch  of  his  Life 414 

'•'     42.  Mr.  Ilanna,  Some  Account  of,  and  of  Morris  County  Pres- 
bytery    419 

«     43.  William  Swan,  Sketch  of  his  Life 421 

"    44.  Canonsburg  Presbyterial  Academy:  What  became  of  it.  429 

% 


X  CONTENTS. 

Page 

Note  45.  Jacob  Jennings,  Sketch  of  the  Life  of 429 

"    46.  Disasters  of  1790-1  —Fast-day :  Why 428 

"    47.  Thomas  Marquis,  Sketch  of  the  Life  of 432 

"    48.  Robert  Marshall,  Sketch  of  the  Life  of 439 

"    49.  Fairfield  Congregation,  History  of 441 

"    50.  David  Smith,  Sketch  of  the  Life  of 443 

"    51.  Long  Run  and  Sewickly  Churches 450 

Appendix 456 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  Lord  commanded  his  people,  in  ancient  times,  to  stand 
in  the  ways,  and  see  and  ask  for  the  old  paths,  where  is  the 
good  way,  and  walk  therein ;  promising  them  that  thus  they 
should  find  rest  for  their  souls.  In  the  right  performance  of 
this  duty,  essential  aid  has  often  been  obtained  from  well-di- 
rected inquiries  into  the  history  of  God's  methods  of  provi- 
dence and  grace,  with  his  people,  in  earlier  times.  The  his- 
tory of  the  trials  and  conflicts  of  the  church,  while  engaged 
in  the  discharge  of  her  great  mission  —  "  to  display  her  ban- 
ner, because  of  the  truth" — is  fraught  with  lessons  "profit- 
able for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  for  instruction 
in  righteousness."  But  every  portion  of  the  church  has  not 
equal  claims  upon  all,  in  regard  to  the  earlier  periods  of  her 
life.  Nor  can  the  story  of  such  times  be  invested  with  a  like 
interest  to  every  portion  of  the  Christian  world.  New  England 
Christians  must  always  read  with  absorbing  interest  the  nar- 
ratives of  the  adventures,  trials,  and  sorrows  of  their  pilgrim 
fathers.  Methodists  must  feel  a  peculiar  interest  in  the  life 
and  character  of  their  great  founder.  Western  Baptists  can- 
not soon  forget  the  thrilling  story  of  their  noble  pioneer,  John 
Corhley.  Can  Western  Presbyterians  cease  to  cherish  a 
grateful  remembrance  of  those  who  were  instrumental  in  lay- 
ins:  the  foundations  of  our  western  Zion?  But  does  the  early 
history  of  Trans-Allegheny  Presbyterianism  possess  any  spe- 
cial claims  to  attention,  apart  from  an  affectionate  interest  in 
the  history  of  our  own  ancestors?     Does  this  section  of  our 

11 


12  INTRODUCTION. 

church  that  Tvas  first  organized  Avest  of  the  mountains,  chal- 
lenge inquiry  into  its  early  times,  on  any  other  grounds  ? 
We  think  it  does.  We  will  suggest  two  or  three  reasons  ad- 
ditional, why  such  inquiry  may  be  made,  without  being  sub- 
jected to  the  charge  of  vanity  or  arrogance. 

1.  In  the  first  place,  extensive  portions  of  the  West  are 
deeply  indebted,  so  far  as  Presbyterianism  is  concerned,  to 
that  part  of  our  church  which  was  once  included  in  the  bounds 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone.  It  will  be  borne  in  mind  that 
these  bounds  included  not  only  all  Western  Pennsylvania,  but 
a  considerable  section  of  Western  Virginia.  Now,  from  this 
region,  vast  numbers  of  Presbyterians,  from  almost  the  begin- 
ning of  this  century,  began  to  emigrate  into  the  ISTorth-western 
Territory,  and  to  disperse  themselves  widely  over  Ohio,  Indiana 
and  Illinois.  There,  in  numberless  places,  they  formed  the 
materials  out  of  which  the  first  Presbyterian  churches,  now 
spread  over  the  bounds  of  at  least  four  of  our  largest  western 
synods,  were  formed.  It  is  remarkable  what  great  numbers 
thus  removed  from  almost  all  the  first  churches  in  the  bounds 
of  the  Redstone  Presbytery.  This  was,  perhaps,  in  part,  owing 
to  the  very  imperfect  Scotch-Irish  system  of  farming  which 
generally  prevailed;  answering  well  enough,  so  long  as  a 
virgin  soil  would  yield  its  plentiful  returns  of  crops.  But  it 
was  a  system  that  soon  exhausted  the  lands.  And  our  ances- 
tors did  not  understand,  or  had  not  the  patience  to  adopt,  the 
methods  of  the  ''Pennsylvania  Dutch,"  as  they  were  called, 
for  recuperating  exhausted  lands.  At  any  rate,  the  prospect 
of  cheap  fresh  lands,  and  of  larger  farms  across  the  "big 
river,"  as  they  called  the  Ohio,  presented  too  inviting  a  lure 
to  be  resisted.  But,  though  they  went  to  the  West  too  often, 
perhaps,  from  mere  selfish  motives,  God  had  his  own  purposes 
to  accomplish  by  them.  If  they  did  not  carry  the  gospel 
with  them,  and  sometimes  settled  where,  for  a  season,  they 
seldom  heard  it,  they  soon  contributed  largely  to  invite  minis- 
ters and  build  churches  all  over  the  West.  The  influence 
which  Presbyterians  from  the  old  Redstone  Presbytery  thus 


INTRODUCTION.  13 

exerted,   is    incalculable.     Does    not  this  view  of  the  case 
justify  an  inquiry  into  "the  old  paths"  of  our  fathers? 

2.  But,  in  connexion  with  this  point,  let  us  widen  the 
range  of  our  vision  upon  the  past  and  future.  There  was  a 
race  of  Protestants  that  originated  in  the  north  of  Ireland, 
whose  history,  in  their  successive  generations,  is  as  remark- 
able as  any  that  the  world  contains.  Dr.  Foote,  in  his  valu- 
able works  on  North  Carolina  and  Virginia,  has  shown  how, 
in  the  wonderful  providence  of  God,  this  race  entered  and 
spread  through  those  States ;  some  of  them,  immediately  from 
the  land  of  their  fathers — some  of  them,  after  a  brief  sojourn 
in  the  Middle  States :  how  they  formed  the  largest  portion 
of  the  materials  out  of  which  were  formed  the  Southern  Pres- 
byterian Church :  how,  commingling  with  some  contributions 
from  the  land  of  the  Huguenots,  with  some  from  the  High- 
lands and  Lowlands  of  Scotland,  and  with  a  few  from  Eng- 
land, they  unitedly  laid  the  foundations  of  our  Southern  Zion. 
And  he  has,  in  view  of  the  sublimity  of  their  glorious  mis- 
sion, in  both  works,  but  especially  in  the  latter,  led  us  back 
to  the  earlier  history  of  the  Irish  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
shown  us  the  remote  influences  that  were  employed  in  pre- 
paring such  a  race,  and  propelling  them  forward  in  their 
course  and  entrance  upon  the  new  world.  Dr.  Davidson, 
not  overlooking  their  remarkable  origin,  but  briefly  tracing 
the  strange  fortunes  of  the  province  of  Ulster,  in  Ireland, 
has  given  us  an  account  of  a  portion  of  this  race,  and  of  the 
results  of  their  labors  in  Kentucky,  and  of  the  rise  and  pro- 
gress of  Presbyterianism  in  the  mighty  Valley  of  the  Missis- 
sippi. And  he  has  very  properly  begun  with  an  account  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Virginia,  especially  in  the  valley 
of  Virginia,  the  principal  hive  of  Presbyterian  emigration 
to  Kentucky.  Neither  of  these  works  is  complete  without 
Bome  account  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  Presbyterian 
GJiiirchj  west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains,  in  Western  Penn- 
sylvania and  Western  Virginia  —  that  noble,  prolific  mother 
of  churches  throuirhout  the  Western  States. 


14  INTRODUCTION. 

There  is  something  singular  in  the  course  of  events,  in 
regard  to  this  race,  -whence  our  Church  has  mainly  derived 
its  materials  and  its  strength.  Dr.  Foote  has  noticed  how 
many  of  our  first  Presbyterian  settlers  that  eventually  reached 
Virginia  and  the  Carolinas,  had  tarried  for  a  while  in  Eastern 
Pennsylvania  and  Maryland.  It  was  so,  too,  in  regard  to 
those  who  found  their  way  toward  the  West.  While  many 
of  our  forefathers  had  come  immediately  from  Scotland  and 
Ireland,  a  large  proportion  were  of  those  who  had  sojourned, 
for  a  season,  east  of  the  mountains,  or  of  their  children.  The 
truth  is,  the  stream  divided.  Part  went  south,  and  part  west. 
Even  families  divided.  Some  of  the  Edgars^  GilJcesons, 
3I^Millans,  &c.,  went  south — some,  to  the  West.  And  these 
streams  united  again  in  Kentucky,  and  elsewhere  in  the  great 
Valley,  and  are  still  uniting.  But  why  w^as  this  sojourn  in 
the  Middle  States  ?  We  may  say,  indeed,  that  their  western 
and  southern  homes  were  not  yet  open  for  them.  But  was 
there  not  another  reason  in  the  divine  purpose,  though  em- 
ploying secondary  causes  as  the  immediate  instruments  of  its 
will  ?  A  sublime  mission  for  them  and  their  children  was 
intended,  though  altogether  concealed  from  their  view.  They 
were  not  yet  prepared  for  that  mission.  They  must  receive 
that  preparation  through  the  great  revivals  under  Whitefield, 
the  Tenants,  the  Blairs,.  and  a  host  of  others,  whom  God 
raised  up  in  the  earlier  part  of  the  last  century,  to  be  instru- 
ments in  his  hands  of  spreading  a  new  life  through  the 
Church.  From  1740  to  1760,  there  was  a  mighty  baptism 
of  the  Church  of  God  in  this  land ;  and  then  were  prepared 
the  noble  spirits  that  afterwards  were  called  to  so  glorious  a 
work  in  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  and  Western  Pennsylvania. 
And  these  again  trained  and  marshalled  those  who,  in  after 
years,  were  to  spread  the  gospel  through  all  the  West.  If 
Virginia  sent  her  Rices,  and  her  Blythes,  and  her  Carys,  to 
Kentucky ;  Western  Pennsylvania  trained  and  sent  forth  her 
M'Greadys  and  her  Marshals.  And  if  Ohio  received  from 
Kentucky  aifd  Virginia  her  Hoges  and  her  Wilsons,  she  got 


INTRODUCTION".  15 

from  Pennsylvania  her  Eeas,  her  Hughes's,  her  Welches,  and 
her  Andersons.  Now,  in  looking  back  from  our  present 
stand-point  upon  these  great  general  features  of  our  Zion's 
history,  can  we  fail  to  see  the  wonder-working  hand  of  God, 
amidst  a  thousand  other  immediate,  blessed  results,  working 
for  the  eventual  evangelization  of  this  vast  Valley  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi, where  every  decennial  period  counts  its  increase  of 
population,  not  by  thousands,  but  by  millions ! 

We  doubt  whether  our  early  fathers,  M'Millan,  Smith, 
Power,  Dod,  and  others,  had  the  least  conception  of  the 
grandeur  of  their  mission,  in  its  bearings  upon  the  future 
church  militant.  Dear  servants  of  God  !  they  thought,  per- 
haps, mainly,  of  saving  souls  around  them,  and  of  peopling 
heaven  with  those  who  would  be  their  future  "crowns  of 
rejoicing."  Little  did  they  dream,  at  least  in  the  earlier  part 
of  their  toils,  of  the  vast  tide  of  human  beings  that  were  soon 
to  fill  the  West,  and  that  these  were  to  receive  the  gospel 
mainly  through  instruments  and  agencies  which  they  first 
prepared  and  directed.  It  is  from  views  of  the  above  cha- 
racter that  we  are  led  to  think  that  we  do  not  overrate  the 
interest  which  belongs  to  our  early  history. 

3.  A  very  few  years  have  passed  since  the  whole  Presby- 
terian Church  was  convulsed,  from  its  centre  to  its  circumfe- 
rence, with  a  mighty  conflict,  involving  great  constitutional 
principles  and  doctrines  of  vital  importance.  There  was  a 
time,  never  to  be  forgotten,  when  men's  hearts  almost  failed 
them  in  view  of  the  alarming  invasion  from  without  and  the 
extensive  defection  from  within. 

But  the  vessel  of  the  Church,  though  tempest-tossed  and 
often  dashed  against  the  breakers,  weathered  the  storm, 
and  was  safely  guided  into  a  peaceful  haven.  The  vessel  was 
lightened ;  a  part  of  her  crew  was  dismissed,  and  many,  sym- 
pathizing with  them,  voluntarily  forsook  her.  They  all  ral- 
lied in  a  new  vessel,  which  they  call  the  "  American  Pres- 
byterian Church;"*  and  perhaps  they  would  have  likewise 

*  Many  of  them,  it  is  said,  labor  under  a  pleasinj;  illusion  that  it  ia 
the  same  old  vessel  in  which  their  fathers  sailed. 


16  INTRODUCTION. 

assumed  the  name  of  "Bible  Cliristians,"  had  not  that  ex- 
pression been  already  monopolized. 

Now,  what  portion  of  the  Church  proved  most  faithful  in 
those  trying  times  ?  Comparisons  here,  perhaps,  are  invidious. 
We  would  not  disparage  the  claims  which  other  portions  of 
our  Zion  may  have  to  the  character  of  firmness  and  integrity 
in  that  hour  of  her  agony ;  but  we  verily  believe  that  if  any  are 
entitled  to  the  precedence  in  this  case,  it  is  that  portion  of 
the  Church  within  the  limits  of  the  original  Presbytery  of  the 
West.  Do  not  the  scenes  of  1835-6-7  throw  an  interest 
around  the  early  history  of  this  part  of  the  Church  ?  Per- 
haps we  are  more  indebted,  under  God,  to  the  early  impulse 
given  to  the  cause  of  sound  Presbyterianism  by  the  ministe- 
rial-Pioneers  of  Western  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  than  we 
have  ever  duly  appreciated.  The  only  man  of  all  the  "  first 
set,"  as  he  called  them,  of  our  ministers  who  lived  on  till  our 
stormy  times  began,  and  who  was  called  home  just  before 
they  reached  their  height,  was  Dr.  M'Millan ;  and  we  know 
that  till  his  last  breath  he  gave  his  noble  testimony  to  the 
cause  of  Old  School  Presbyterianism  and  its  distinctive  the- 
ology. A  sermon  of  Dr.  M'Millan,  published  in  the  "  Western 
Presbyterian  Preacher,"  abundantly  attests  this  statement. 
Now,  we  have  ever  regarded  him  as  truly  representing  the 
views  and  sentiments  of  his  cotemporaries.  He  was,  ecclesi- 
astically, the  "  Charles  Carroll,  of  Carrollton ;  the  last  surviv- 
ing signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence;" — yes,  of 
true  Presbyterian  independence,  when  the  old  Presbytery  of 
Redstone  spread  its  banner  to  the  breeze  in  1781.  Now  with 
such  reminiscences  of  a  period  within  the  memory  of  even  the 
young  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  can  we  fail  to  regard  with 
some  interest  the  times  when,  amidst  multiplied  trials,  and 
dangers,  and  sorrows,  the  walls  of  our  Western  Zion  began 
to  rise  ? 

4.  The  Presbyterian  Church,  from  the  first  day  of  her 
American  organization,  recognised  her  missionary  character. 
The  printed  Records  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  and 


INTRODUCTION.  17 

of  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  prove  beyond 
all  question,  that  through  a  period  of  more  than  eighty  years, 
the  Presbyterian  Church  adhered  firmly  to  the  principle  and 
duty  of  conducting  missions  at^^home  and  abroad  through  her 
ecclesiastical  organizations.  She  had  a  mighty  mission  to 
perform,  and  nobly  did  she  gird  herself  to  the  work. 

It  was  by  this  means  that  the  Gospel  was  first  preached 
west  of  the  Alleghany  Mountains.  Missionaries  sent  out  by 
the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia  first  penetrated 
the  howling  wilderness,  and  proclaimed  the  glad  news  of  sal- 
vation alike  to  the  emigrant^  the  hunter,  the  trader,  and  the 
Indian.  This  part  of  our  past  history  is  perhaps  little 
known,  and  will  deserve  and  shall  receive  special  notice  here- 
after. But  though  our  Church  always,  through  her  early 
days,  and  even  for  more  than  thirty  years  after  the  General 
Assembly,  in  1789,  was  called  into  existence,  acted  upon  the 
principle  that  ''the  Church  of  Christ,  in  her  organized  capacity, 
is  a  missionary  society  for  the  conversion  of  the  world,"* 
there  came  a  period  when,  through  an  amiable  weakness  that 
"  leaned  to  virtue's  side,"  she  was  seduced  from  her  old  pro- 
priety. Congregationalists  of  New  England  had  carried  on 
their  missionary  operations,  not  by  Ecclesiastical  Boards — of 
which  their  peculiar  form  of  church  organization  did  not,  in 
the  nature  of  the  case,  admit — but  by  voluntary  associations. 
They  were  doing  a  noble  work  in  their  own  way — the  best 

*  If  the  claims  to  Scriptural  and  Apostolic  sanction,  made  alike  by 
Episcopalians,  Independents,  and  Presbyterians,  for  their  respective 
forms  of  church  organization,  be  tested  by  this  principle,  will  it  not  set 
in  a  clear  light  the  stronger  claims  of  Presbyterianism  ?  If  one  grand 
design  of  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  in  setting  up  and  maintaining 
a  visible  Christian  church  in  the  world  be  the  propagation  of  the  gospel 
and  the  conversion  of  the  world,  —  and  who  will  question  this?  —  then 
ihvii  form  of  church  government  which  affords  the  greatest  facilities  for 
carrying  on  the  work  of  missions  must  be  most  in  accordance  with  the 
mind  of  Christ.  Now,  cannot  prejudice  itself  discern  the  superior 
advantages  of  Presbyterian  organization  for  carrying  out  and  accom- 
plishing this  grand  mission  of  the  visible  Church  of  God? 

2 


18  INTllODUCTIOX. 

way  of  which  they  ^Yere  capable  with  their  defective  form  of  -, 
church  government.  They  persuaded  us,  and  many  among 
us  who  had  come  originally  from  them  united  with  them, 
in  coaxing  us  to  adopt  their  jvay  of  doing  this  great  work. 
They  were  truly  eloquent,  and  profoundly  philosophical 
in  their  arguments  to  convince  us  that  we  ought  to  fall  in 
with  them,  and  not  only  to  carry  on  missions  in  the  same  way, 
but  to  take  their  defective  and  irresponsible  organizations  as 
the  channels  of  our  work.  These  good  brethren  assured  us 
we  would  get  along  much  better  by  adopting  their  more  free 
and  easy  system,  without  Committees  or  Boards,  under  eccle- 
siastical supervision.  They  succeeded  in  their  object  for  a 
time.  We  do  not  mean  to  question  their  motives.  We  verily 
believe  they  were  generally  honest.  Nay,  more ;  we  have  no 
doubt  they  thought  sincerely  they  would  do  us  great  good, 
and  not  evil.  It  was  thought  that  by  a  combined  movement, 
under  the  guidance  of  the  Home  Missionary  Society,  and  the 
American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions,  a 
mightier  work  for  the  conversion  of  the  world  could  be 
effected.  Our  Church,  in  a  season  when  she  received  a  fresh 
baptism  of  the  Spirit  of  Missions,  constituting  her  ''  mollia 
tempera  fandi,"  yielded  her  assent.  Now  during  this  season 
of  almost  universal  abandonment  of  the  old  Presb3^terian 
principle  on  the  subject  of  missions  through  church  organiza- 
tion, what  portion  of  our  Zion  held  most  firmly  to  the  old  paths 
of  our  fathers  ?  W^e  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  it  was  the 
portion  within  the  original  bounds  of  the  Redstone  Presbytery. 
And  here  was  first  revived  the  good  old  principle  of  conduct- 
ing missions  by  the  Church  in  her  organized  capacity.  Mea- 
sures were  adopted  by  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg,  and  the  work 
of  foreign  missions  was  set  on  foot  and  carried  on  for  several 
years  by  the  Synod.  Let  it  never  be  forgotten  that  when 
our  present  Board  of  Foreign  3Iissions  was  organized,  it  was 
by  a  transfer  of  this  whole  concern  from  the  Synod  of  Pitts- 
burg to  the  General  Assembly  in  1835.     And  when  in  1836, 


IXTROBUCTIOX.  19 

•with  a  New  School  majority,  the  Assembly  undid  and  nullified 
this  work  of  the  previous  year,  that  hold  stroke  of  their  policij 
led  more  than  all  other  things  put  together  to  the  momentous 
transactions  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1837  !  Now,  have 
we  not  a  right  to  enquire  about  the  early  history  of  this  por- 
tion of  the  Church,  that  aided  directly  and  indirectly  to  reco- 
ver her  from  her  former  defections,  and  to  reinstate  her  on 
the  ground  ever  held  by  our  Zion  from  the  beginning,  and 
on  the  principles  to  which  she  owed,  under  God,  her  earliest 
life  ?  "What  does  the  Presbyterian  Church  owe  to  this  section 
of  her  now  wide-spread  territory  ? 

Let  us  briefly  recapitulate,  not  in  the  order  we  have  just 
indicated,  but  in  a  somewhat  transposed,  but  equally  available 
order,  the  above  particulars.  We  hope  they  are  worth 
summing  up. 

We  remark,  then,  that  that  portion  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  which,  in  these  latter  days,  made  the  first  effectual 
movement,  through  ecclesiastical  organization,  in  the  cause 
of  foreign  missions,  was  located  in  the  bounds  of  the  old  Red- 
stone Presbytery.  The  synod  of  Pittsburg,  amongst  her 
sister  synods,  may  be  entitled  to  the  same  honor,  ecclesiasti- 
cally, which  has  been  assigned,  politically,  to  the  State  in 
which  it  is  mainly  situated  —  "the  keystone  of  the  federal 
arch."  Perhaps  the  phrase,  "  the  back-bone  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,"  is  more  significant.  "VYe  cheerfully  surrender 
both  expressions,  if  they  are  thought  to  savor  of  ambitious 
pretension. 

Again,  this  portion  of  the  Church,  during  the  period  of  its 
greatest  conflict,  near  twenty  years  ago,  for  constitutional 
principles  and  rights,  against  alarming  invasion,  from  without, 
and  extensive  defection  from  thorough  Presbyterianism,  from 
within,  stood  with  more  firmness  and  unanimity  by  her  stand- 
ards of  doctrine  and  order,  than  almost  any  other  part  of 
our  Zion. 

Again,  extensive  portions  of  the  West  are  deeply  indebted 


20  INTRODUCTION. 

to  that  part  of  our  Church  which  was  once  Included  in  the 
bounds  of  Redstone  Presbytery. 

We  might  add  a  fourth  particular,  which  ought  to  throw 
back  a  deep  interest  on  our  early  history.  The  descendants 
of  the  Pilgrims  remember  with  pride  the  efforts  of  their 
fathers  in  the  cause  of  education,  almost  coeval  with  their 
landing  on  the  Plymouth  Rock,  and  are  continually  proclaim- 
ing to  the  world  that,  within  less  than  twenty  years  after  that 
event,  Harvard  University,  (their  glory  and  their  shame,)  was 
founded.  Well,  let  it  also  be  remembered  that  our  early 
Christian  fathers  embarked  in  the  cause  of  education,  whilst 
yet  their  savage  foes  were  prowling  around  them  in  their 
forests,  and  that  tzvo  colleges  were  passing  through  their 
infant  state,  within  less  than  ten  years  after  the  Presbytery 
of  Redstone  was  formed. 

We  ask,  then,  cannot  much  of  the  thorough  orthodoxy,  the 
evangelical  and  missionary  spirit,  the  noble  zeal  for  educa- 
tion, and  the  soundness  in  the  faith,  propagated  through  the 
West,  be  all  traced,  under  God,  to  the  early  state  and  cha- 
racter of  the  Western  Presbyterian  Church?  Who  were 
those  men  whom  God  employed  in  this  great  work  ?  Under 
what  circumstances  of  trial,  of  peril,  and  of  self-sacrificing 
zeal,  were  the  walls  of  our  western  Zion  built  ?  On  all  these 
accounts,  it  cannot  be  uninteresting  to  many,  we  think,  to 
learn  something  about  the  seven  ministers  who  composed  the 
old  Redstone  Presbytery  for  many  years,  and  about  the  early 
history  of  this  section  of  our  ecclesiastical  territory. 


OLD  REDSTONE. 


CHAPTER   I. 

THE   EARLY   STATE   OF   THE    COUNTRY,    AND    ITS   FIRST 
SETTLEMENTS. 

An  intelligent  survey  of  our  earlier  history  seems  to 
require  some  general  knowledge,  at  least,  of  the  secular  his- 
tory of  this  portion  of  the  United  States.  Without  this 
knowledge,  much  that  pertains  to  the  organization  and  pro- 
gress of  our  churches,  to  the  domestic  and  social  condition  of 
our  forefathers,  and  to  the  hardships  and  trials  of  our  early 
ministers,  must  be  involved  in  obscurity.  There  are  many 
items  in  the  early  records  of  our  first  presbytery,  that  can  be 
understood  only  by  some  acquaintance  with  the  history,  the 
laws,  usages  and  customs  of  those  times,  and  with  the  general 
state  of  society,  and  condition  of  the  country.  It  will  not, 
therefore,  be  deemed  aside  from  the  main  design  of  this  work, 
to  attempt  a  comprehensive  sketch  of  this  character. 

The  territory  embraced  within  the  limits  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Redstone  included  all  the  south-western  part  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  that  portion  of  Virginia  which  stretches  along 
between  the  Ohio  and  the  western  border  of  Pennsylvania. 
This  entire  scope  of  country,  larger  than  some  of  the  smaller 
States  of  the  Union,  was,  a  hundred  years  ago,  the  hunting- 
ground  of  the  Iroquois  or  Six  Nations,  the  Delawares,  and 
the  Shawnees.  The  French,  however,  claimed  it  as  theirs  by 
right  of  discovery.  This  claim  was  wholly  preposterous, 
resting  upon  no  solid  basis,  and  was  mainly  prompted  by  an 
ambitious  desire  to  unite  their  Canadian  with  their  Louisia- 

21 


22        FRENCH  CLAIMS  —  EAKLY  SETTLEMENTS. 

nian  possessions,  and  to  draw  a  cordon  across  the  track  of  the 
advancing  Anglo-Saxon  race.  Yet,  as  early  as  the  beginning 
of  the  eighteenth  century,  Bancroft  tells  us  that  not  a  foun- 
tain bubbled  on  the  west  of  the  Allegheny,  but  was  claimed 
as  being  within  the  French  empire.  Louisiana  stretched  to 
the  head-springs  of  the  Allegheny  and  the  Monongahela,  of 
the  Kanawha  and  the  Tennessee.  But  no  subject  of  either 
France  or  England  had,  before  the  year  1700,  trodden  the 
shores  of  the  Allegheny,  the  Monongahela,  or  the  Youghio- 
gheny.  As  early,  however,  as  1715  and  1720,  occasionally 
a  trader  would  venture  west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains. 
And  of  these,  says  the  historian  of  Western  Pennsylvania, 
the  first  was  James  L.  Fort,  who  resided,  in  1700,  east  of  the 
Susquehanna,  but  took  up  his  residence  west  of  it,  at  Le  Fort 
Spring  (Carlisle),  in  1720.  Peter  Cleaver,  John  Evans, 
Henry  Devay,  Owen  Nicholson,  Alexander  Magenty,  Patrick 
Burns,  John  Evans,  George  Hutchinson,  all  of  Cumberland 
county,  (which  then,  indeed,  included  all  the  south-western 
part  of  the  State)  —  also,  Barnaby  Currin,  John  M'Guire,  a 
Mr.  Frazer,  the  latter  of  whom  had  at  an  early  day  a  trading- 
house  at  Venango  (now  Franklin),  but  afterwards  on  the 
Monongahela,  at  the  mouth  of  Turtle  creek  —  all  these  were 
traders  among  the  Indians.* 

But  no  attempt  had  been  made  by  the  whites  at  settlements 
in  this  entire  region  before  1748,  when  the  Ohio  Company 
was  formed.  The  object  of  this  company  was  to  effect  set- 
tlements on  the  wild  lands  west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains, 
through  the  agency  of  an  association  of  gentlemen.  Mr.  Lee, 
one  of  the  king's  council  in  Virginia,  was  at  the  head  of  it. 
With  the  view  of  carrying  his  plan  into  operation,  he  asso- 
ciated himself  with  twelve  other  persons  in  Virginia  and 
Maryland,  and  with  Mr.  Hanbury,  a  merchant  in  London, 
who  formed  what  they  called  "The  Ohio  Company."  Lau- 
rence Washington  and  his  brother,  Augustine  Washington, 

*  History  of  Western  Pennsylvania,  p.  40. 


THE    OHIO    COMPANY.  23 

(brothers  of  George  Washington,)  ^vere  among  the  first  who 
engaged  in  this  scheme.  A  petition  was  presented  to  the 
king,  on  behalf  of  the  company,  which  was  approved,  and  five 
hundred  thousand  acres  of  hand  were  granted  almost  in  the 
terras  requested  by  the  company.  The  object  of  the  company 
was  to  settle  the  lands,  and  to  carry  on  the  Indian  trade  upon 
a  laro;e  scale.  Hitherto  the  trade  with  the  western  Indians 
had  been  mostly  in  the  hands  of  the  Pennsylvanians.  The 
company  conceived  that  they  might  derive  an  important 
advantage  over  their  competitors  in  this  trade,  from  the  water 
communication  of  the  Potomac,  and  the  eastern  branches  of 
the  Ohio,  between  the  Monongahela  and  Kanawha  rivers,  and 
west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains.  Though  this  was  a  most 
promising  scheme,  and  met  with  much  favor  from  the  most 
influential  quarters,  yet,  owing  to  the  various  troubles  in 
which  the  country  was  involved,  from  French  influence  and 
Indian  forays,  comparatively  little  resulted  from  it.  It,  how- 
ever, for  some  time,  greatly  promoted  emigration  into  por- 
tions of  Western  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia.* 

^  One  singular  fact,  connected  with  this  subject,  deserves  notice. 
Mr.  Lawrence  Washington,  upon  whom  fell  the  chief  management  of 
the  affairs  of  this  company,  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Lee,  conceived  the 
very  plausible  plan  of  inviting  the  "  Pennsylvania  Dutch,"  and  their 
brethren  from  Germany  to  colonize  this  region.  Their  only  objection 
was  the  parish  taxes  they  would  have  to  pay  to  support  the  Episcopal 
Church.  Mr.  "Washington  exerted  himself  to  get  this  difficulty  removed  ; 
but  high  church  episcopacy  was  too  strong  for  him  ;  and  so  his  scheme 
failed ;  and  a  large  portion  of  Western  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  was 
kept  open  for  a  different  race — mainly  for  Scotch-Irish  Presbyterians, 
Thus  the  intolerant  Episcopal  Establishment  of  Virginia  was  overruled 
by  the  pur{>ose  and  providence  of  God,  to  contribute  unwittingly  to  pro- 
vide a  home  for  many  of  our  fathers ;  or  rather  to  keep  open  for  them 
such  a  home.  Mr.  Washington,  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Ilanbury  of  London, 
wrote,  "  I  conversed  with  all  the  Pennsylvania  Dutch  whom  I  met — 
and  much  recommended  their  settling.  The  chief  reason  against  it 
was  the  payment  of  an  English  clergyman,  when  few  understood,  and 
none  made  use  of  him.  It  has  been  my  opinion,  and  I  hope  ever  will 
be,  that  restraint ■■  on  conscience  are  cruel, 


24  NOBLE   SENTIMENTS   OF   MR.  LAWRENCE. 

This  company  sent  out  Christopher  Gist,  in  1750,  to  explore 
the  country  from  the  south  branch  of  the  Potomac,  northward 
to  the  head  of  Juniata  river.  He  explored  this  region 
accordingly,  crossed  the  mountains  and  reached  the  Alleghany 
river  by  the  Valley  of  the  Kiskeminetas.  He  crossed  the 
Alleghany  about  four  miles  above  the  forks,  where  Pittsburg 
now  stands :  thence  went  down  the  Ohio  to  some  point  below 
Beaver  river ;  and  thence  over  to  the  Muskingum  valley. 
The  first  actual  settlement  made  was  within  the  limits  of  what 
is  now  Fayette  Co.,  in  1752,  by  Mr.  Gist  himself,  on  a  tract 
of  land  now  well  known  there  as  Mount  Braddock,  west  of 

they  are  imposed,  and  injurious  to  the  country  imposing  them.  England, 
Holland,  and  Prussia  I  may  quote  as  examples,  and  much  more  Penn- 
sylvania, which  has  flourished  under  that  delightful  liberty,  so  as  to 
become  the  admiration  of  every  man  who  considers  the  short  time  it 
has  been  settled.  As  the  ministry  have  thus  far  shown  the  true  spirit 
of  patriotism,  by  encouraging  the  extending  of  our  dominions  in 
America,  I  doubt  not  by  an  application,  they  would  still  go  further,  and 
complete  what  they  have  begun,  by  procuring  some  kind  of  charter  to 
prevent  the  residents  on  the  Ohio  and  its  branches,  from  being  subject 
to  parish  taxes.  They  all  assured  me  that  they  might  have  from  Ger- 
many any  number  of  settlers,  could  they  but  obtain  their  favorite 
exemption.  I  have  promised  to  endeavor  for  it,  and  now  do  my  utmost 
by  this  letter.  1  am  ivell  assured  we  shall  never  obtain  it  hy  law  here. 
This  colony  (Virginia),  was  greatly  settled  in  the  latter  part  of  Charles 
the  First's  time,  and  during  the  usurpation  by  the  zealous  churchmen  ; 
and  that  spirit  which  was  then  brought  in  has  ever  since  continued,  so 
that,  except  a  few  Quakers,  we  have  no  dissenters.  But  what  has  been 
the  consequence  ?  We  have  increased  by  slow  degrees,  except  negroes 
and  convicts ;  whilst  our  neighboring  colonies,  'whose  natural  advan- 
tages are  greatly  inferior  to  ours,  have  become  populous.'"  These 
sentiments  do  great  honor  both  to  the  head  and  heart  of  Lawrence 
Washington.  But  he  labored  in  vain.  A  proposition  was  made  by 
several  Germans  in  Pennsylvania,  that  if  they  would  have  the  above 
exemption  secured  to  them,  they  would  take  fifty  thousand  acres  of 
the  company's  land  and  settle  it  with  two  hundred  families.  But 
nothing  was  done.  Parliament  was  too  busy  with  public  afi'airs,  and 
the  ministry  otherwise  engaged.  And  Episcopacy  in  the  colony  was 
unyielding.  Blessed  be  God,  that  he  makes  the  wrath  and  even  the 
bigotry  of  men  to  praise  Ilim  I 


QUEEN    ALIQUIPrA    AND    GENERAL   WASHINGTON.  25 

the  Youghiogeny  river.  Mr.  Gist  induced  eleven  families  to 
settle  around  him  on  lands  supposed  to  be  ^Yithin  the  Ohio 
company's  grant. 

The  more  southern  part  of  Western  Pennsylvania  (Greene, 
Washington,  Fayette,  and  part  of  Somerset),  which  was  sup- 
posed to  be  within  the  boundaries  of  Virginia,  was  visited  by 
adventurers  from  Maryland,  prior  to  1754.  Among  these 
were  Wendel  Brown,  and  his  two  sons,  and  Frederick  Waltzer, 
who  lived  four  miles  west  of  Uniontown.  David  Taggart 
had  settled  in  the  valley  which  still  bears  his  name,  in  North- 
western Virginia,  where  several  other  families  came,  a  few 
years  afterwards,  and  where  the  Redstone  Presbytery  appointed 
supplies  for  several  years.  These  were  the  only  settlements 
attempted  prior  to  Braddock's  defeat ;  and  those  made  imme- 
diately afterwards — or  prior  to  1760,  were  repeatedly  molested 
—  families  murdered  —  cabins  burnt, —rand  for  a  time  such 
settlements  were  broken  up — alternately  abandoned  and  again 
occupied. 

In  1753,  when  Washington  paid  his  visit  to  the  French  at 
Le  Boeuf,  he  passed  through  this  region  going  and  returning. 
At  that  time,  AUquippa,  queen  of  the  Delawares,  resided  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Youghiogeny — now  M'Keesport.  Wash- 
ington paid  her  a  visit  and  made  her  a  present  of  a  watch- 
coat  and  a  bottle  of  rum,  "  which  latter  was  thought  much 
the  better  present  of  the  two."  It  is  an  incident  worthy  of 
a  passing  notice  that  just  one  century  from  that  date,  the 
present  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  that  place,  the 
Rev.  Nathaniel  West,  D.  D.,  was  there  installed  in  a  new  and 
beautiful  house  of  worship.  At  the  time  of  Washington's 
visit,  king  Shingis  had  his  quarters  near  the  mouth  of  Chartiers. 
Then  not  a  single  white  man  was  found  where  Pittsburg  now 
stands.  He  reached  that  point  November  24th,  1753 ;  and 
says  in  his  journal,  "  As  I  got  down  before  the  canoe,  I  spent 
some  time  in  viewing  the  rivers  and  the  land  in  the  fork, 
which  I  think  extremely  well  situated  for  a  fort,  as  it  has  the 
absolute  command  of  both  rivers.  The  land  at  the  point  is 
twenty-five  feet  above  the  common  surface  of  the  water ;  and 


26  THE   OLD   FRENCH    WAR. 

a  considerable  bottom  of  flat,  well-timbered  land,  all  around 
it,  very  convenient  for  building."  But  the  reign  of  solitude 
there  was  soon  to  be  broken  forever.  A  company  commanded 
by  Captain  Trent,  arrived  there,  February  17th,  1754 — "a 
memorable  day  in  our  history."  He  was  sent  thither  by  the 
governor  of  Virginia,  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  fort.  "VVe 
know  not  precisely  when  the  work  was  begun ;  but  it  must 
have  been  prior  to  the  17th  of  April,  1754  ;  for  on  that  day, 
Monsieur  Contrecoeur  with  60  batteaux,  300  canoes,  18  pieces 
of  cannon,  and  1000  men,  Indians  and  Frenchmen,  arrived 
from  Venango,  and  summoned  Ensign  Ward,  who  commanded 
in  the  absence  of  Captain  Trent,  to  sui'render.  Resistance, 
with  about  40  men  and  even  with  the  aid  of  an  unfinished 
stockade,  to  some  hundred  French  and  Indians  with  several 
'pieces  of  cannon,  was  out  of  the  question.  A  capitulation, 
of  course,  followed ;  and  Ward,  with  his  men,  ascended  the 
Monongahela  to  Redstone,  now  Brownsville,  where  a  stone 
house  had  previously  been  erected.  This  aifair  was  the  com- 
mencement of  that  memorable  war,  whose  operations  extended 
over  continental  Europe,  Asia,  Africa,  and  America — the  old 
French  War,  which  spread  devastation,  terror,  and  death, 
especially  over  the  West — for  eight  entire  years.  And  upon 
the  successful  termination  of  this  war,  the  British  government 
claiming  some  indemnity  for  their  great  losses  and  expenses, 
from  the  American  Colonies,  in  the  form  of  duties,  taxes,  &c., 
without  their  consent,  and  without  any  representation  on  their 
part  in  the  British  Parliament,  were  met  with  resistance  from 
the  colonies.  And  this,  in  turn,  provoking  to  further  en- 
croachments on  their  rights — and  to  many  insults  and  indigni- 
ties— kindled  the  flames  of  the  Revolutionary  War — which 
terminated  in  the  independence  of  the  United  States  of 
America.  This  greatest  event  of  modern  history,  in  view  of 
all  its  present  and  prospective  bearings  upon  the  destinies  of 
the  world,  may  be  traced  largely  to  the  scenes  in  and  around 
Pittsburg,  just  one  hundred  years  ago.  We  shall  not  attempt 
the  stories  of  the    Great   Meadows,  of  Fort  Necessity,  of 


THE    GLOOMIEST    PERIOD    IX    MODERN    HISTORY.  27 

Braddock's  defeat  —  and  other  incidents  belonging  to  that 
period  immediately  succeeding  the  triumphant  possession  on 
the  part  of  the  French,  of  this  point  at  the  head  of  the  Ohio, 
and  of  the  surrounding  region.  Perhaps  the  gloomiest  ]yeriod 
to  the  American  colonies,  to  England,  and  to  Protestant 
Europe,  that  was  ever  experienced,  either  before  or  after, 
was  that  embraced  in  the  two  years  immediately  following 
Braddock's  defeat.  Lord  Chesterfield,  in  England,  exclaimed, 
"  I  never  saw  so  dreadful  a  prospect."  Horace  Walpole  in  a 
letter  said :  "  It  is  time  for  England  to  slip  her  cables  and  to 
float  away  into  some  unknown  ocean."  President  Davies,  in 
America,  said,  "  I  cannot  help  saying  that  our  doom  is  dis- 
mally uncertain.  I  know  not  what  a  provoked  God  intends 
to  do  with  us  and  our  nation.  I  have  my  hopes,  indeed ;  but 
they  are  balanced  and  sometimes  overbalanced  with  fearful 
and  gloomy  apprehensions."*  But  it  pleased  the  Mighty 
Sovereign  of  nations  to  raise  to  controlling  political  power, 
just  when  a  universal  gloom  was  settling  upon  the  world,  that 
great  man,  the  immortal  Lord  Chatham,  —  under  Avhose 
administration  a  new  era  began.  And  no  part  of  the  world 
felt  its  blessed  influence  more  than  "Western  Pennsylvania. 

^  The  Rev.  Aaron  Burr,  then  President  of  Princeton  College,  in  a 
sermon  before  the  Synod  of  New  York,  September  30th,  1756,  said — 
"  It  gives  me  no  pleasure  to  be  a  messenger  of  evil  tidings,  nor  would 
I  make  positive  assertions  about  future  events:  yet  I  must  say  our 
public  affairs  wear  a  dark  aspect.  The  nation  we  are  engaged  with  in 
war  is  numerous,  powerful,  and  politic.  France  abounds  with  men, 
and  the  king  commands  as  many  as  he  pleases  into  the  field  ;  on  every 
occasion  shows  himself  superior  to  our  expectations ;  and  his  being  an 
absolute  monarch  gives  great  advantage  in  point  of  secrecy  and 
despatch." 

"  All  our  schemes  hitherto  prove  unsuccessful:  our  enemies,  small 
and  contemptible  as  their  numbers  appeared  to  us,  everywhere  get  the 
advantage." — "  Braddock's  mournful  defeat  last  year,  has  been  attended 
with  a  train  of  destructive  consequences.  It  is  not  easy  to  conceive 
what  we  have  suffered  from  the  barbarous  natives,  under  the  influence 
and  by  the  assistance  of  the  French,"  kc.  —  Burr's  "  Sermon,"  in  Dr. 
C.  C.  Beattrfs  hands. 


28  now    THAT    GLOOM    WAS    DISPELLED. 

A  new  spirit  was  infused  into  the  utmost  extremities  of  the 
realm.  By  a  sort  of  instinctive  wisdom,  more  than  huraan,  a 
new  set  of  superior  men  were,  everywhere,  called  into  the 
service  of  the  administration,  inspired  with  dauntless  energy 
and  sleepless  vigilance.  The  "Iron-headed"  General  Forbes 
was  placed  at  the  head  of  an  army  for  the  re-capture  of  Fort 
DuQuesne,  and  the  recovery  of  the  West.  And  Boquet, 
Lewis,  Washington  and  Armstrong,  were  a  part  of  his  noble 
officers.  The  Rev.  C.  Beatty,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  was 
one  of  their  Chaplains — a  man  of  the  spirit  of  Davies,  in  his 
peculiar  talents  for  this  service ;  of  whom  we  shall  have  more 
to  say  in  the  sequel.  The  expedition  was  completely  suc- 
cessful ;  and  all  the  West  was  again  recovered  from  the 
defeated  and  terrified  French.*  In  a  thanksgiving  discourse, 
delivered  on  that  cheering  event,  Davies  broke  forth  in  the 
following  eloquent  strain,  "  Fort  DuQuesne,  the  den  of  those 
mongrel  savages  who  have  ravaged  our  frontiers,  captured  and 
butchered  so  many  of  our  fellow-subjects,  and  ruined  so  many 
poor  families  —  Fort  DuQuesne  —  the  object  of  Braddock's 
ever-tragical  and  unfortunate  expedition,  near  which  so  many 
brave  lives  have  been  repeatedly  thrown  away  in  vain — Fort 
DuQuesne,  the  magazine  which  has  furnished  our  Indian 
enemies  with  provisions,  arms,  and  fury  to  make  their  bar- 
barous inroads  upon  the  British  settlements,  and  prevented 
our  growing  country  from  extending  its  frontiers  on  the  Ohio — 

*  "  On  the  25th  of  November,  the  youthful  hero,"  (General  Wash- 
ington) "  could  point  out  to  the  army,  the  junction  of  the  rivers;  and 
entering  the  fortress,  they  planted  the  British  flag  on  the  deserted  ruins. 
As  the  banners  of  England  floated  over  the  Ohio,  the  place  was,  with 
one  voice,  named  Pittsburg.  It  is  the  most  enduring  trophy  of  the 
glory  of  William  Pitt.  America  afterwards  raised  to  his  name  statues, 
that  have  been  wrongfully  broken  ;  and  granite  monuments,  of  which 
not  one  stone  remains  upon  another ;  but,  long  as  the  Monongahela 
and  the  Alleghany  shall  flow  to  form  the  Ohio, — long  as  the  English 
tongue  shall  be  the  language  of  freedom  in  the  boundless  valley  which 
these  waters  traverse,  his  name  shall  stand  inscribed  on  the  gateway  of 
the  ^Y est.''— Bancroft's  Hist  U.  S.,  Vol  IV.,  p.  313. 


PONTIAC'S    WAR.  29 

Fort  DuQuesne  is  abandoned  and  demolished — demolished  by 
those  hands  that  built  it,  without  the  loss  of  a  man  on  our  side. 
The  terror  of  the  Lord  fell  upon  them,  and  they  fled  at  the 
approach  of  our  army." 

The  treaty  of  1TG2  brought  quiet  and  repose  to  some  extent, 
to  the  English  colonies,  and  the  first  settlers  on  the  frontiers 
returned  to  their  abandoned  farms.  "The  happy  effects," 
says  Smollet  in  his  history  of  England,  "  of  these  measures 
were  soon  apparent — in  the  perfect  security  of  about  four 
thousand  settlers  who  now  returned  to  the  quiet  possession  of 
their  lands,"  and  his  authority  was  probably  a  passage  in  a 
letter  dated  at  Pittsburg,  March  21st,  1760,  "  The  happy 
effects  of  our  military  operations  are  also  felt  by  about  4000 
poor  inhabitants,  who  are  now  in  quiet  possession  of  their 
lands  they  were  driven  from  on  the  frontiers  of  Pennsylvania, 
Virginia,  and  Maryland." 

All  things  seemed  now  to  promise  peace  and  prosperity. 
But  they  were  soon  obliged  again  to  leave  their  quiet  homes 
and  retire  for  safety  to  the  more  densely  settled  parts. 
Though  Fort  DuQuesne  —  thenceforward  called  Fort  Pitt  — 
never  again  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  French,  their  savage 
allies,  treacherously  instigated  by  the  French,  though  pro- 
fessedly at  peace  with  England,  carried  on  a  more  furious  and 
desolating  war  than  ever  against  the  frontier  settlers.  This 
was  that  horrible  war,  forever  memorable  under  the  name  of 
Pontiacs  war,  of  which  we  shall  afterwards  have  occasion  to 
speak.  But  it  was  soon  brought  to  a  successful  issue  by 
Colonel  Boquet,  in  the  fall  of  '63 ;  and  in  '64,  he  compelled 
the  turbulent  and  restless  Kyashutha  to  sue  for  peace  and 
bury  the  hatchet  on  the  plains  of  Muskingum.  lie  finally 
humbled  the  Delawares  and  Shawnees.  Again  the  settlers 
returned  to  their  cabins ;  and  having  resumed  their  labors, 
extended  their  improvements  and  cultivated  their  lands.  From 
this  time  forth  the  prosperity  of  Western  Pennsylvania 
advanced  rapidly,  and  the  tide  of  emigration,  with  the  conse- 
quent settlements,  rolled  westward. 


30  INCREASING   TIDE    OF   EMIGRATION. 

Previous  to  1758,  "Westmoreland  was  a  wilderness  trodden 
by  the  wild  beast  and  the  savage,  and,  like  other  portions  of 
"Western  Pennsylvania,  by  an  occasional  trader.  No  settle- 
ments of  any  account  were  attempted  prior  to  this  date,  when 
Fort  Pitt,  having  become  an  English  military  post,  formed  a 
nucleus  for  an  English  settlement.  Two  years  afterwards,  a 
small  town  was  built  near  it,  whose  population,  for  several 
years,  did  not  exceed  two  hundred.  During  Pontiaes  war, 
indeed,  it  was  for  a  short  season  quite  abandoned ;  the  vil- 
lagers retiring  into  the  fort,  or  fleeing  elsewhere,  and  suffer- 
ing the  place  to  fall  to  decay.  But  in  1765,  Pittsburg  was,  to  a 
small  extent,  regularly  laid  out.  In  1765  and  1766,  settle- 
ments were  made  at  Kedstone  and  Turkey-Foot.  Several  of 
these  were  heads  of  Presbyterian  families.  The  Indian  titles 
had  not  yet  been  extinguished,  and  the  governor  warned  them 
ofi".  Some  retired,  but  soon  returned.  Others  paid  no  regard 
to  the  complaints  of  the  Indians  or  the  threats  of  the  govern- 
ment. There  was  much  trouble  from  this  source  about  1768  ; 
but  it  happily  subsided,  and  the  Indian  claims  were  satisfied 
by  treaties. 

About  this  time,  some  emigrated  from  Berkley  County, 
Virginia,  and  settled  in  what  is  now  Fayette  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, but  then  claimed  by  Virginia.  In  the  summ,er  of 
1766,  two  Presbyterian  missionaries  visited  "Western  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  spent  two  months  among  the  settlers  and  Indians, 
of  whom  we  will  have  occasion  more  fully  to  speak  hereafter. 
During  this  period  (from  1760  to  1770),  settlements  were 
rapidly  made  in  various  places,  through  all  the  region  em- 
braced by  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone.  A  considerable  num 
ber  of  emigrants,  soon  after  1767,  settled  on  the  Youghiogeny, 
the  Monongahela,  and  its  several  branches  or  tributaries,  and 
in  the  year  1770-71,  many  of  the  Scotch-Irish  from  Bedford 
and  York  Counties,  from  the  Kittatinny  Valley,  from  Vir- 
ginia, and  some  directly  from  the  north  of  Ireland,  com- 
menced settlements  in  Washington  County.  These  settle- 
ments soon   extended   from   the  Mononirahela   to  the  Ohio 


LAND    TITLES.  31 

River.  The  swelling  tide  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  race  spreading" 
annually  wider  and  wider,  began  to  engage  much  attention. 
The  forts  at  Redstone  and  at  Wheeling  were  among  the  first 
and  most  conspicuous.  The  route  the  settlers  pursued  was 
the  scarce  practicable  path  called  Braddock's  Trail,  which  they 
travelled  with  no  better  means  for  their  furniture  and  provi- 
sions than  that  afforded  by  pack-horses.  The  great  object  of 
most  of  these  persons  was  to  obtain  possession  of  the  lands, 
the  titles  to  which  cost  little  more  than  the  ofl5ce-fees.  The 
Indian  title  was  not  then  considered  by  the  individual  as  pre- 
senting any  obstacle ;  and  Virginia,  whose  charter  it  was  then 
supposed  embraced  this  region  of  country,  confirmed  the  titles 
of  settlers  with  no  other  restrictions  than  such  as  were  neces- 
sary to  prevent  the  confusion  of  interfering  claims.  At  an 
early  period  that  State  appointed  three  commissioners  to  give 
certificates  of  settlement  rights,  which  were  sent  with  the 
surveyor's  plot  to  the  land  office,  where  they  remained  for  six 
months,  to  give  sufficient  time  to  ascertain  that  there  were  no 
other  claimants  to  the  same  tracts.  If  none  appeared  within 
that  time,  the  patents  were  issued.  There  was  an  inferior 
kind  of  title,  called  a  "  Tomahawk  right,"  which  was  made  by 
deadening  a  few  trees  near  a  spring,  and  marking  others  by 
cutting  in  the  bark,  by  the  person  who  thus  took  possession. 
This  ceremony  conveyed  no  legal  property  ;  but  was  respected 
by  the  settlers  as  establishing  a  priority  of  claim,  with  which 
it  was  discreditable  to  interfere.  These  rights  were  therefore 
often  bought  and  sold,  because  those  who  wished  to  secure 
favorite  tracts  of  land  chose  to  buy  the  Tomahawk  improve- 
ments rather  than  quarrel  with  those  who  had  made  them. 
The  Proprietary  of  Pennsylvania,  in  1768,  purchased  the 
country  from  the  Indians  as  far  west  as  the  Allegheny  and 
Ohio  Rivers,  and  opened  the  office  for  the  sale  of  those  lands. 
AVhen  the  office  was  opened  he  made  proclamation,  and  re- 
stricted the  surveyors  to  respect  the  lands  of  actual  settlers 
who  had  improved  to  the  value  of  five  pounds,  and  not  to 
survey  them,  or  warrants  or  locations  of  a  date  posterior  to 


32  LORD  dunmore's  policy. 

the  settlements,  except  to  those  by  whom  the  settlements 
were  made.  Favored  by  this  indulgence, — which,  however, 
was  usual  in  both  provinces, — few  of  those  who  lived  adjacent 
to  the  Monongahela,  and  had  already  occupied  the  lands, 
applied  to  the  office  for  locations  or  warrants.  They  were 
not  certain  to  which  state  or  province  the  soil  belonged,  and 
probably  had  a  secret  wish  that  it  should  belong  to  Virginia, 
because,  in  that  case,  it  would  cost  them  but  about  one-four- 
teenth part  of  the  price  for  which  lands  were  sold  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  their  wishes  would  be  likely  to  govern  their 
faith.  In  or  about  this  year,  Governor  Lord  Dunmore  opened 
several  offices  for  those  within  the  bounds  of  what  are  now 
the  four  western  counties  of  Pennsylvania ;  and  the  warrants 
were  granted  on  paying  two  shillings  and  six-pence  fees.  The 
purchase  money  was  trifling  indeed,  being  only  about  ten 
shillings  per  hundred  acres,  and  even  that  was  not  demanded. 
This  was  an  effectual  inducement  to  apply  to  Dunmore's 
agents  in  preference  to  the  Pennsylvania  land  office.  The 
land,  being  the  property  of  the  king,  was  at  the  disposal  of 
the  governor,  who  also  procured  a  court  of  Virginia  to  be 
extended  to  the  Ohio ;  and  in  a  short  time,  two  county  courts 
were  held  south  of  the  Monongahela,  and  one  north  of  it,  at 
Redstone  Old  Fort  (Brownsville) ;  all  of  them  within  the  ter- 
ritory since  ascertained  to  belong  to  Pennsylvania. 

This  course  was  afterwards  changed — "  The  State  of  Vir- 
ginia recognized,  by  a  municipal  regulation  of  May  3d,  1779, 
actual  settlers"  who  had  made  a  crop  of  corn,  or  resided  on 
lands  one  year  before  January  1st,  1778,  as  "  freeholders  of 
that  Commonwealth,  and  entitled  to  farms,  not  exceeding  400 
acres." 

In  the  year  1774,  the  peace  of  the  western  settlements 
was  disturbed  by  alarms  of  Indian  hostility,  and  a  vexatious 
contest  with  the  Governor  of  Virginia,  dn  relation  to  the 
western  boundary.  Both  of  these,  perhaps,  sprang  from  a 
cunning  policy,  on  the  part  of  Lord  Dunmore — aiming  thereby 
to  withhold  or  withdraw  the  attention  of  both  Pennsylvania 


THE    WEST    SHARED    IN    THE    REVOLUTION.  33 

and  Virginia  from  the  subject  of  British  aggressions  on  the 
liberties  of  the  Colonies,  by  involving  them  in  a  "war  "with  the 
Indians,  and  in  jealousies  and  quarrels  among  themselves 
about  the  disputed  claims  of  these  States.  Ilis  subsequent 
conduct,  in  deserting  the  cause  of  American  liberty,  gave 
much  plausibility  to  this  construction  of  his  motives.  Though, 
after  the  i^eace  of  Paris^  as  it  was  called,  first  signed  by  the 
belligerent  parties,  November  3d,  1762 — and  the  Dejinitiva 
Treaty^  February  3d,  1763 — the  close  of  the  old  French 
War — emigrants  began  to  pour  across  the  mountains,  espe- 
cially upon  the  close  of  Pontiacs  War,  in  the  fall  of  1763-4; 
this  stream  was  much  enlarged,  during  the  whole  progress  of 
the  War  of  the  Revolution. 

This  was  from  no  unpatriotic  desire  to  escape  from  their 
country's  struggles  for  independence.  They  knew  that  cause 
was  to  be  maintained,  west  as  well  as  east  of  the  mountains. 
The  British  government  —  at  least  its  agents  —  sought  the 
co-operation  of  the  savages,  every  where  through  the  western 
country,  to  humble  and  crush  their  colonies.  It  is  believed 
that  no  portion  of  American  citizens  rendered  more  service 
to  their  country  than  the  people  of  the  West ;  by  repelling 
the  savage  foe,  and  rendering  abortive  one  of  the  principal 
means  employed  by  Great  Britain  to  crush  our  rising  Re- 
public* And  when  peace  at  length  was  secured,  by  the 
Treaty  of  1783,  which  secured  forever  our  Independence,  and 
staunched  the  bleeding  wounds  of  a  seven  years'  war — it 
brought  no  peace  to  the  West.  There  was  still  little  security 
for  the  twenty  thousand  Anglo-Americans  in  Western  Penn- 
sylvania, during  the  whole  subsequent  period,  till  1794.  The 
people  suffered  greatly  from  the  Indians.  Two  armies  sent 
out  against  them,  in  the  Western  part  of  Ohio,  under  General 

*  General  Washington,  in  the  gloomiest  period  of  .the  Revolution,  said 
to  Colonel  Reed,  that,  in  the  event  of  further  reverses,  he  would  retreat  to 
Augusta  County,  Virginia ;  and  driven  from  there,  he  would  cross  the 
Allegheny  mountains,  and  take  his  stand  in  the  "West. —  Grinmhaiv's 
History  U.  S. 

3 


34  LONG    CONTINUANCE    OF    INDIAN    TROUBLES. 

Harmar  and  General  St.  Clair — the  former  in  1790,  the  lat- 
ter in  1791 — were  both  defeated,  and  shockingly  cut  to  pieces ; 
and 'not  until  General  Anthony  Wayne  gave  them  a  dreadful 
overthrow  on  the  Miami-of-the-Lake,  was  there  any  thing  like 
security  or  permanent  peace  established.  Thus,  during  the 
entire  period  through  which  the  Old  Presbytery  of  Redstone 
existed,  and  was  nobly  performing  its  glorious  mission,  were 
there  "fightings  without." 

In  comparison  with  this  never-ceasing  source  of  anxiety  to 
certain  portions  of  the  people,  in  the  bounds  of  the  Presby- 
tery, other  causes  of  trouble  and  peril  were  of  small  account. 
Yet,  in  themselves,  they  were  often  most  harassing.  The  still 
conflicting  claims  of  the  two  States — the  impossibility,  in 
many  cases,  of  a  faithful  administration  of  law  and  justice — 
the  uncertainty  of  land  titles — the  jealous  heart-burnings  be-* 
tween  the  two  classes  of  emigrants,  from  Eastern  Pennsylva- 
nia and  from  Virginia,  which  were  not  ended  till  the  dividing 
line  was  finally  fixed  and  settled  in  1784  * — the  exposure  of 
many  persons,  especially  women  and  children,  to  perilous 
adventures  with  the  "  fer^  naturae,"  howling  beasts  of  prey — 
the  want  of  bread,  and  danger  of  starvation  at  particular  sea- 
sons— the  scarcity  of  salt  and  iron — the  absence^ of  all  roads 
across  the  mountains,  except  bridle  paths — all  these  then,  and 
many  other  things  besides,  rendered  their  condition  hapless, 
and  any  thing  but  Eden-like.  But  whilst  we  will  reserve  for 
another  place,  an  example  or  tAvo,  illustrative  of  their  trials 
and  dangers  from  the  savages,  we  may,  perhaps,  as  well  here 
as  elsewhere,  give  a  sample  of  their  trials  from  exposure  to 
wild  animals,  and  to  want  of  food. 

*  "  Civil  authority  is  by  no  means  properly  established  in  this  coun- 
try ;  which,  I  doubt  not,  proceeds,  in  some  degree,  from  inattention  in 
the  Executives  of  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania  not  running  the  boundary 
line — which  is,  at  present,  an  excuse  for  neglect  of  duty  of  all  kinds, 
for  at  least  twenty  miles  on  each  side  of  the  line.  More  evils  will  arise 
from  this,  than  people  are  aware  of."  —  Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Gen. 
Irwin  to  Gen.  Washington,  dated  Fort  Pitt,  March  ZOth,  1782. 


ADVENTURE   OF    MOORIIEAD    AND    KELLY.  35 

About  the  year  1771  or  1772,  Fergus  Moorhead  and 
James  Kelly  commenced  improvements  near  -where  the  town 
of  Indiana  now  stands.  The  country  around  might  well  be 
termed  a  howling  wilderness,  for  it  was  full  of  wolves.  As 
soon  as  these  adventurers  had  erected  their  cabins,  each  be- 
took himself,  at  night,  to  his  own  castle.  One  morning,  Mr. 
Moorhead  paid  a  visit  to  his  neighbor  Kelly,  and  was  sur- 
prised to  find,  near  his  cabin,  traces  of  blood,  and  tufts  of 
human  hair.  Kelly  was  not  to  be  found.  Moorhead,  be- 
lieving him  to  have  been  killed  by  tfie  wolves,  was  cautiously 
looking  out  for  his  remains,  when  he  discovered  him  sitting 
by  a  spring,  washing  the  blood  from  his  hair.  He  had  lain 
down  in  his  cabin  at  night,  and  fallen  asleep  ;  a  wolf  reached 
through  a  crack  between  the  logs,  and  seized  him  by  the 
head.  This  w^as  repeated  twice  or  thrice  before  he  was  suffi- 
ciently awakened  to  change  his  position.  The  smallness  of 
the  crack,  and  the  size  of  his  head,  prevented  the  wolf  from 
grasping  it  so  far  as  to  have  a  secure  hold ;  and  that  saved 
his  life.  Some  time  after  this,  the  two  adventurers  returned 
to  Franklin  county  for  their  families,  and,  on  their  return, 
they  were  joined  by  others.  They  no  doubt  observed  a  pru- 
dent silence,  especially  with  their  wives,  in  regard  to  the  wolf 
adventure. 

Moses  Chambers  was  another  early  settler.  Having  served 
several  years  on  board  of  a  British  man-of-war,  he  was  quali- 
fied for  a  life  of  danger  and  hardship.  Moses  continued  to 
work  on  his  improvements,  till  he  was  told  one  morning  that 
the  last  johnnycake  was  at  the  fire  !  What  was  to  be  done  ? 
There  was  no  possibility  of  a  supply,  short  of  Conegocheague. 
He  caught  his  horse,  and  made  ready.  He  broke  the  johnny- 
cake  in  two  pieces,  and,  giving  one  half  to  his  wife,  the 
partner  of  his  perils  and  fortunes,  he  put  up  the  other  half  in 
the  lappet  of  his  coat,  with  thorns,  and  turned  his  horse's 
head  towards  the  east.  There  were  no  inns  on  the  road,  in 
those  days  —  no  habitation,  west  of  the  mountains,  on  his 
route,  save,  perhaps,  a  hut  or  two  at  Fort  Ligonier.     The 


36  MOSES   CHAMBERS. 

Kittanning  path  was  used  to  Ligonier,  and,  from  thence,  the 
road  made  bj  General  Forbes's  army.  Where  good  pasture 
could  be  had  for  his  horse,  Moses  tarried  and  baited.  To  him, 
day  was  as  night,  and  night  as  day.  He  slept  only  while  his 
horse  was  feeding.  Nor  did  he  give  rest  to  his  body,  or  ease 
to  his  mind,  until  he  returned,  with  his  sack  stored  with  corn. 
"  How  .forcibly,"  adds  the  narrator,  "  would  the  affecting 
story  of  the  patriarch  Jacob  apply  itself  to  the  condition  of 
families  thus  circumstanced  !  '  Jacob  said  to  his  sons,  "  Why 
do  ye  look  one  upon  another  ?"  and  he  said,  "  Behold,  I  have 
heard  that  there  is  corn  in  Egypt :  get  you  down  thither,  and 
buy  for  us  from  thence,  that  we  may  live  and  not  die." 

Moses  Chambers  was  not  the  only  one  who  had  to  encounter 
the  fatigue  and  trouble  of  procuring  supplies  from  Franklin 
county.  But,  as  great  as  these  difficulties  were,  the  first 
settlers  of  Indiana  had  others  to  encounter,  of  a  still  more 
serious  nature.  The  savage  and  hostile  Indians  gave  them 
much  trouble.  Several  of  the  inhabitants  were  killed  and 
scalped ;  others  were  forced  to  leave  their  homes,  and  seek  a 
place  of  safety  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  mountains.  Kelly 
and  Moorhead  had  many  narrow  escapes  from  the  Indians. 
But  they  finally  caught  Moorhead,  together  with  a  settler  by 
the  name  of  Simpson.  Simpson  was  killed,  and  Moorhead 
was  carried  through  the  woods  to  Quebec,  where  he  was  con- 
fined eleven  months.  He  was  afterwards  exchanged  and  sent 
to  New  York,  and  from  thence  made  his  way  to  his  family. 
His  wife  and  three  children  had  fled  to  a  place  of  safety,  in 
a  fort  in  AYestmoreland  county,  and  from  thence  to  Franklin. 

Settlements  were  gradually  extended  through  the  north- 
western part  of  Pennsylvania,  as  far  as  Erie  county,  between 
1790  and  1795.  The  Presbytery  of  Redstone  sent  out  occa- 
sional supplies  in  that  direction ;  but  it  was  after  it  ceased  to 
be  the  sole  presbytery  of  the  West. 

The  following  article,  written  by  the  Hon.  Judge  Wilkeson, 
of  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  was  furnished,  some  years  ago,  in  several 
successive  numbers,  to  the  "American  Pioneer,"  a  monthly 


JUDGE    WILKESON'S    EARLY    RECOLLECTIONS.  37 

periodical  published  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  1842-3,  by  J.  S. 
"Williams,  Esq.,  and  now  somewhat  abridged,  will  be  found  to 
throw  as  much  light  upon  the  subject  to  which  we  have  invited 
the  attention  of  the  reader,  as  anything  which  could  be  offered. 


EARLY  RECOLLECTIONS  OF  THE  WEST. 

INTRODUCTION — POVERTY  CONSEQUENT  UPON  THE  REVOLUTION  — 
PIONEER  MOTHERS — PIONEER  MODE  OF  REMOVAL — GREAT  DIF- 
FICULTIES   OF    THE   JOURNEY FIRST    EMPLOYMENTS    OF    THE 

PIONEER  —  MURDER   OF   AN    INDIAN  —  PROGRESS   OF   THE   FIRST 
SETTLERS. 

The  present  happy  population  of  our  country,  enjoying  not 
only  peace,  but  all  the  necessaries  and  conveniences  of  life, 
can  form  no  just  conception  of  the  poverty  and  privations 
endured  by  the  early  settlers  of  the  West. 

The  revolutionary  war  had  withdrawn  much  of  the  labor  of 
the  country  from  agriculture  and  manufactures.  There  was 
no  commerce,  no  money.  The  country  at  large  could  not 
furnish  even  necessary  clothing.  Hard  as  was  the  fate  of  the 
soldier  while  starving,  freezing,  and  fighting  for  independence, 
still  the  prospective  was  cheering  to  him ;  he  never  doubted 
that  his  services  would  be  rewarded,  and  be  remembered  with 
gratitude  by  his  country.  But,  when  discharged,  he  received 
his  pay  in  continental  money,  worth  but  a  few  cents  on  the 
dollar,  and,  returning  poor  to  his  family,  found  them  as  desti- 
tute as  himself.  The  pride  and  parade  of  the  camp,  which 
had  excited  and  sustained  him,  were  now  gone  —  there  was 
none  to  relieve  or  assist  him.  Some  sank  under  their  dis- 
couragements. Brave  men,  who  never  shrank  from  danger 
in  their  country's  defence,  and  who  cheerfully  endured  all  the 
hardships  incident  to  the  soldier's  life,  had  not  the  courage  to 
contend  with  poverty,  nor  the  resolution  to  exchange  the 
excitements  of  war  for  that  diligent  pursuit  of  personal  labor 
which  was  requisite  for  the  support  of  their  families.  Many, 
however,  resolved  on  crossing  the  mountains,  and  becoming 


38  JOURNEY   TO   THE  WEST. 

farmers  in  the  West.  The  difl5culties  to  be  encountered  in 
effecting  this  resolution  were  many  and  great.  The  journey 
-was  full  of  peril,  especially  to  women  and  children,  poorly 
provided  with  even  the  most  common  necessaries. 

It  may  interest  some  of  your  readers,  who  have  never  felt 
what  privation  or  suffering  is,  to  know  by  what  expedients  the 
pioneers  of  the  West  were  enabled  to  remove  their  families 
across  the  mountains.  I  have  often,  when  a  boy,  listened  to 
the  recital  made  by  the  mothers  who  were  companions  in 
these  sufferings,  and  who,  at  every  meeting  in  after  life, 
jwould  recur  to  them  with  tears. 

My  father's  family  was  one  of  twenty  that  emigrated  from 
Carlisle,  and  the  neighboring  country,  to  Western  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  the  spring  of  1784.  Our  arrangements  for  the 
journey  would,  with  little  variation,  be  descriptive  of  those 
of  the  whole  caravan.  Our  family  consisted  of  my  father, 
mother,  and  three  children,  (the  eldest  one  five,  the  youngest 
less  than  one  year  old,)  and  a  bound  boy  of  fourteen.  The 
road  to  be  travelled  in  crossing  the  mountains  was  scarcely, 
if  at  all,  practicable  for  wagons.  Pack-horses  were  the  only 
means  of  transportation  then,  and  for  years  after.  We  were 
provided  with  three  horses,  on  one  of  which  my  mother  rode, 
carrying  her  infant,  with  all  the  table  furniture  and  cooking 
utensils.  On  another  were  packed  the  stores  of  provisions, 
the  plough-irons,  and  other  agricultural  tools.  The  third 
horse  was  rigged  out  with  a  pack-saddle,  and  two  large  creels 
made  of  hickory  withes,  in  the  fashion  of  a  crate,  one  over 
each  side,  in  which  were  stowed  the  beds  and  bedding,  and 
the  wearing  apparel  of  the  family.  In  the  centre  of  these 
creels  there  was  an  aperture  prepared  for  myself  and  sister ; 
and  the  top  was  well  secured  by  lacing,  to  keep  us  in  our 
places,  so  that  only  our  heads  appeared  above.  Each  family 
was  supplied  with  one  or  more  cows,  which  was  an  indispen- 
sable provision  for  the  journey.  Their  milk  furnished  the 
morning  and  evening  meal  for  the  children,  and  the  surplus 
was  carried  in  canteens  for  us  during  the  day. 


PERILS    OF    THE    ROUTE.  39 

Thus  equipped,  the  company  set  out  on  their  journey. 
Many  of  the  men  being  unacquainted  with  the  management 
of  horses,  or  the  business  of  packing,  little  progress  was  made, 
the  first  day  or  two.  When  the  caravan  reached  the  moun- 
tains, the  road  was  found  to  be  hardly  passable  for  loaded 
horses.  In  many  places,  the  path  lay  along  the  edge  of  a 
precipice,  where,  if  the  horse  had  stumbled  or  lost  his  balance, 
he  would  have  been  precipitated  several  hundred  feet  below. 
The  path  was  crossed  by  many  streams,  raised  by  the  melting 
snow,  and  spring  rains,  and  running  with  rapid  current  in 
deep  ravines.  Most  of  these  had  to  be  forded,  as  there  were 
no  bridges,  and  but  few  ferries.  For  many  successive  days, 
hair-breadth  escapes  were  continually  occurring ;  sometimes, 
horses  falling ;  at  other  times,  carried  away  by  the  current, 
and  the  women  and  children  with  difficulty  saved  from  drown- 
ing. Sometimes,  in  ascending  steep  acclivities,  the  lashing 
of  the  creels  would  give  way,  and  both  children  and  creels 
tumble  to  the  ground,  and  roll  down  the  steep,  until  arrested 
by  some  traveller  of  the  company.  In  crossing  streams,  or 
passing  places  of  more  than  ordinary  difficulty  in  the  road, 
mothers  were  often  separated  from  some  of  their  children  for 
many  hours. 

The  journey  was  made  in  April,  when  the  nights  were 
cold.  The  men  who  had  been  inured  to  the  hardships  of  war, 
could  with  cheerfulness  endure  the  fatigues  of  the  journey. 
It  was  the  mothers  who  suffered ;  they  could  not,  after  the 
toils  of  the  day,  enjoy  the  rest  they  so  much  needed  at  night; 
the  wants  of  their  suffering  children  must  be  attended  to. 
After  preparing  their  simple  meal,  they  lay  down,  with  scanty 
covering,  in  a  miserable  cabin,  or,  as  it  sometimes  happened, 
in  the  open  air,  and  often,  unrefreshed,  were  obliged  to  rise 
early,  to  encounter  the  fatigues  and  dangers  of  another  day. 

As  the  company  approached  the  Monongahela,  they  began 
to  separate.  Some  settled  down  near  to  friends  and  ac- 
quaintances who  had  preceded  them.  About  half  of  the 
company  crossed  the  Monongahela,  and  settled  on  Chartier's 


40  CABIN   BUILDING  —  INDIAN   ALARMS. 

creek,  a  few  miles  soutli  of  Pittsburg,  in  a  hilly  country,  well 
watered  and  well  timbered.  Settlers'  rights  to  land  were 
obtained  on  easy  terms.  My  father  exchanged  one  of  his 
horses  for  a  tract,  (bounded  by  certain  brooks  and  marked 
trees,)  which  was  found,  on  being  surveyed,  several  years 
after,  to  contain  about  200  acres. 

The  new-comers  aided  each  other  in  building  cabins,  which 
were  made  of  round  logs,  with  a  slight  covering  of  clapboards. 
The  building  of  chimneys  and  laying  of  floors  were  postponed 
to  a  future  day.  As  soon  as  the  families  were  all  under 
shelter,  the  timber  was  girdled,  and  the  necessary  clearing 
made  for  planting  corn,  potatoes,  and  a  small  patch  of  flax. 
Some  of  the  party  were  despatched  for  seed.  Corn  was 
obtained  at  Pittsburg;  but  potatoes  could  not  be  procured 
short  of  Ligonier  valley,  distant  three  days'  journey.  The 
season  was  favorable  for  clearing ;  and,  by  unremitting  labor, 
often  continued  through  a  part  of  the  night,  the  women 
laboring  with  their  husbands  in  burning  brush  and  logs,  their 
planting  was  seasonably  secured.  But,  while  families  and 
neighbors  were  cheering  each  other  on  with  the  prospect  of 
an  abundant  crop,  one  of  the  settlements  was  attacked  by  the 
Indians,  and  all  of  them  were  thrown  into  the  greatest  alarm. 
This  was  a  calamity  which  had  not  been  anticipated.  It  had 
been  confidently  believed  that  peace  with  Great  Britain  would 
secure  peace  with  her  Indian  allies.  The  very  name  of 
Indian  chilled  the  blood  of  the  late  emigrants ;  but  there  was 
no  retreat.  If  they  desired  to  recross  the  mountains,  they 
had  not  the  provisions  or  means,  and  had  nothing  but  poverty 
and  sufi'ering  to  expect,  should  they  regain  their  former 
homes.     They  resolved  to  stay. 

The  frontier  settlements  were  kept  in  continual  alarm. 
Murders  were  frequent,  and  many  were  taken  prisoners. 
These  were  more  generally  children,  who  were  taken  to  De- 
troit, (which,  in  violation  of  the  treaty,  continued  to  be  occu- 
pied by  the  British,)  where  they  were  sold.  The  attacks  of 
the  Indians  were  not  confined  to  the  extreme  frontier.     They 


NAMES    OF    THE    FRONTIER    HEROES.  41 

often  penetrated  the  settlements  several  miles,  especially  when 
the  stealing  of  horses  was  a  part  of  their  object.  Their  depre- 
dation effected,  they  retreated  precipitately  across  the  Ohio. 
The  settlers  for  many  miles  from  the  Ohio,  during  six  months 
of  the  year,  lived  in  daily  fear  of  the  Indians.  Block-houses 
were  provided  in  several  neighborhoods  for  the  protection  of 
the  women  and  children,  while  the  men  carried  on  their  farm- 
ing operations,  some  standing  guard  while  the  others  labored. 
The  frequent  calls  on  the  settlers  to  pursue  marauding  parties, 
or  perform  tours  of  militia  duty,  greatly  interrupted  their  atten- 
tion to  their  crops  and  families,  and  increased  the  anxieties 
and  sufferings  of  the  women.  The  general  government  could 
grant  no  relief.  They  had  neither  money  nor  credit.  Indeed, 
there  was  little  but  the  name  in  the  old  confederation.  The 
State  of  Pennsylvania  was  unable  to  keep  up  a  military  force 
for  the  defence  of  her  frontier.  She  had  generously  ex- 
hausted her  resources  in  the  struggle  for  national  indepen- 
dence. Her  Legislature,  however,  passed  an  act  granting  a 
bounty  of  one  hundred  dollars  on  Indian  scalps.  But  an 
incident  occurred  which  led  to  the  repeal  of  this  law  before 
the  termination  of  the  war. 

A  party  of  Indian  spies,  having  entered  a  wigwam  on 
French  Creek,  supposed  to  be  untenanted,  discovered,  while 
breakfasting,  an  Indian  extended  on  a  piece  of  bark  overhead. 
They  took  him  prisoner;  but  reflecting  that  there  was  no 
bounty  on  prisoners,  they  shot  him  under  circumstances  which 
brought  the  party  into  disgrace,  and  the  scalp  bounty  law  into 
disrepute. 

The  settlement  was  guarded,  and  in  fact  preserved  from 
utter  dispersion,  by  a  few  brave  men.  Brave  is  a  term  not 
sufficiently  expressive  of  the  daring  boldness  of  the  Bradys, 
Sprouts,  Poes,  Lesnets,  "Wettzells,  Caldwells,  Crawfords,  Wil- 
liamsons, Pauls,  Harrisons,  and  Zaneses,  who  for  years  en- 
countered unheard-of  privations  in  the  defence  of  the  border 
settlements,  and  often  carried  the  war  successfully  into  the 
Indian  country. 


42  EARLY   DOMESTIC    SCENES    IX   FRONTIER   LIFE. 


GREAT  DIFFICULTIES   ENCOUNTERED   BY  EARLY  SETTLERS — MORAL 

CONDITION  OP  THE  SETTLERS — RELIGIOUS  ZEAL  AND  POVERTY 

CLOTHING   AND   EDUCATION — COMPARISON  OF  DIFFICULTIES   BE- 
TWEEN SETTLING  A  NEW  COUNTRY  THEN  AND  NOW. 

But  to  return  to  our  emigrants.  Besides  their  exposure  to 
Indian  depredations  and  massacres,  they  had  other  trials  to 
endure,  which,  at  the  present  day,  cannot  be  appreciated. 
One  of  the  most  vexatious  was,  the  running  away  of  their 
horses.  As  soon  as  the  fly  season,  commenced,  the  horses 
seemed  resolved  on  leaving  the  country,  and  re-crossing  the 
mountains.  The  river  was  no  barrier.  They  swam  the  Mo- 
nongahela,  and  often  proceeded  150  miles  before  they  were 
taken  up.  During  the  husband's  absence  in  pursuit  of  his 
horses,  his  wife  was  necessarily  left  alone  with  her  children 
in  their  unfinished  cabin,  surrounded  by  forests,  in  which  the 
howl  of  the  wolf  was  heard  from  every  hill.  If  want  of  pro- 
vision, or  other  causes,  made  a  visit  to  a  neighbor's  necessary, 
she  must  either  take  her  children  with  her  through  the  woods, 
or  leave  them  unprotected,  under  the  most  fearful  apprehen- 
sion that  some  mischief  might  befal  them  before  her  return. 
As  bread  and  meat  were  scarce,  milk  was  the  principal  de- 
pendence for  the  support  of  the  family.  One  cow  of  each 
family  was  provided  with  a  bell,  which,  if  good,  could  be  heard 
from  half  a  mile  to  a  mile.  The  woman,  left  alone,  on  getting 
up  in  the  morning,  instead  of  lacing  her  corsets  and  adjusting 
her  curls,  placed  herself  in  the  most  favorable  position  for 
listening  to  her  cow-bell,  which  she  knew,  as  well  as  she  did 
the  voice  of  her  child,  and  considered  it  fortunate  if  she  heard 
it  even  at  a  distance.  By  her  nice  and  never-failing  discrimi- 
nation of  sounds,  she  could  detect  her  own,  even  among  a 
clamor  of  many  other  bells ;  thus  manifesting  a  nicety  of  ear 
which,  with  cultivation,  might  have  been  envied  by  the  best 
musicians  of  the  present  day.  If  her  children  were  small  she 
tied  them  in  bed,  to  prevent  them  from  wandering,  and  to 


NOT    A    DEGRADED    RACE.  43 

guard  them  from  danger  from  fire  and  snakes ;  and  guided  by 
the  tinkling  of  the  bell,  made  her  way  through  the  tall  meads, 
and  across  the  ravines,  until  she  found  the  object  of  her 
search.  Happy  on  her  return  to  find  her  children  unharmed, 
and  regardless  of  a  thorough  wetting  from  the  dew,  she  has- 
tened to  prepare  her  breakfast  of  milk,  boiled  with  a  little 
meal  or  hominy  ;  or  in  the  protracted  absence  of  her  husband, 
it  was  often  reduced  to  milk  alone.  Occasionally  venison  and 
turkeys  were  obtained  from  hunters.  Those  settlers,  who 
were  provided  wdth  rifles,  could,  with  little  loss  of  time,  sup- 
ply their  families  with  fresh  meat ;  but  with  the  new  settlers, 
rifles  were  scarce.    They  were  more  accustomed  to  the  musket. 

It  may  seem  to  some  that  these  people,  whose  hardships 
*and  poverty  we  have  been  describing,  must  have  been  a  (de- 
graded race,  or  they  would  have  been  better  provided  with 
the  means  of  comfortable  living.  But  they  who  would  come 
to  this  conclusion,  must  be  ignorant  of  the  condition  of  our 
country  at  the  close  of  the  revolution.  The  poverty  of  the 
disbanded  soldier  was  not  the  consequence  of  idleness,  dissi- 
pation or  vice.  The  times  were  in  fault,  not  the  men.  The 
money  which  he  had  received  for  his  services  in  the  army, 
proved  to  be  nearly  worthless.  But  instead  of  brooding  over 
this  injustice,  or  seeking  to  redress  his  wrongs  by  means  which 
would  disturb  the  public  peace,  and  demolish  the  temple  of 
liberty,  which  "he  had  labored  to  erect,  he  nobly  resolved  to 
bear  his  misfortunes,  and  brave  the  dangers  and  hardships  of 
emigration. 

A  more  intelligent,  virtuous  and  resolute  class  of  men 
never  settled  any  country,  than  the  first  settlers  of  Western 
Pennsylvania  :  and  the  women  who  shared  their  sufferings  and 
sacrifices  were  no  less  worthy.  Very  many  of  the  settlers  in 
what  are  now  Washington  and  Allegheny  Counties  were  pro- 
fessors of  religion  of  the  strictest  sect  of  Seceders.  I  well 
remember  hearing  them,  when  a  boy,  railing  at  Watts'  Psalms, 
and  other  like  heresies.  At  a  very  early  period  of  the  settle- 
ment, a  distinguished  minister  of  that  denomination,  Mr.  Hen- 


44  SCARCITY    or    CLOTHING. 

derson,  was  settled  near  Canonsburgh.  It  was  common  for 
families  to  ride  from  ten  to  fifteen  miles  to  meeting.  The 
young  people  regularly  walked  five  or  six  miles,  and  in  sum- 
mer carried  their  stockings  and  shoes,  if  they  had  any,  in 
their  hands,  both  going  and  returning. 

I  believe  that  no  churches  or  houses  of  worship  were 
erected  in  the  country  until  about  1790.  Even  in  winter  the 
meetings  were  held  in  the  open  air.  A  place  was  selected 
which  partially  sheltered  the  congregation  from  the  weather, 
where  a  log  pulpit  was  erected  and  logs  furnished  the  audience 
w^ith  seats.  Among  the  men  who  attended  public  worship  in 
the  winter,  ten  were  obliged  to  substitute  a  blanket  or  a 
coverlet  for  a  great-coat,  where  one  enjoyed  the  luxury  of 
that  article.  So  great  was  the  destitution  of  comfortable^ 
clothing,  that  when  the  first  court  of  common  pleas  was  held 
in  Catfish,  now  Washington,  a  highly  respectable  citizen, 
whose  presence  was  required  as  a  magistrate,  could  not  attend 
court  without  first  borrowing  a  pair  of  leather  breeches  from 
an  equally  respectable  neighbor  who  was  summoned  on  the 
grand  jury.  The  latter  lent  them,  and  having  no  others,  had 
to  stay  at  home.  This  scarcity  of  clothing  will  not  seem  sur- 
prising when  we  consider  the  condition  of  the  country  at  that 
time,  and  that  most  of  these  settlers  brought  but  a  scanty 
supply  of  clothing  and  bedding  with  them.  This  stock  could 
not  be  refurnished  until  flax  was  grown  and  made  into  cloth. 

Those  who  are  reared  in  contact  with  the  ledgers,  the 
claims,  the  lawsuits,  and  the  bankruptcies  of  this  contentious 
age,  can  form  but  a  faint  idea  of  real  pioneer  hospitality,  in 
which  half  of  the  scanty  supply  of  a  needy  family  was  often 
cheerfully  served  up  to  relieve  the  necessity  of  the  still  more 
needy  traveller  or  emigrant  family.  From  feelings  and  acts 
of  this  kind,  as  from  seeds,  has  sprung  much  of  the  system- 
atized benevolence  in  which  many  of  our  enlightened  citizens 
are  engaged. 

The  labor  of  all  the  settlers  was  greatly  interrupted  by  the 
Indian  war.     Although  the  older  settlers  had  some  sheep. 


woman's  trials.  45 

jet  their  increase  was  slow,  as  the  country  abounded  in 
wolves.  It  was  therefore  a  work  of  time  to  secure  a  supply 
of  wool.  Deerskin  was  a  substitute  for  cloth  for  men  and 
boys,  but  not  for  women  and  girls  ;  although  they  were  some- 
times compelled  to  resort  to  it.  The  women  had  to  spin,  and 
generally  to  weave  all  the  cloth  for  their  families ;  and  when 
the  wife  was  feeble  and  had  a  large  family,  her  utmost  efforts 
could  not  enable  her  to  provide  them  with  anything  like  com- 
fortable clothing.  The  only  wonder  is  —  and  I  shall  never 
cease  to  wonder — that  they  did  not  sink  under  their  burdens. 
Their  patient  endurance  of  these  accumulated  hardships  did 
not  arise  from  a  slavish  servility  or  insensibility  to  their 
rights  and  comforts.  They  justly  appreciated  their  situation, 
and  nobly  encountered  the  difficulties  which  could  not  be 
avoided.  Possessing  all  the  affections  of  the  wife,  the  ten- 
derness of  the  mother,  and  the  sympathies  of  the  woman, 
their  tears  flowed  freely  for  others'  griefs,  while  they  bore 
their  own  with  a  fortitude  which  none  but  a  woman  could 
exercise.  The  entire  education  of  her  children  devolved  on 
the  mother ;  and  notwithstanding  the  difficulties  to  be  encoun- 
tered, she  did  not  allow  them  to  grow  up  wholly  without 
instruction,  but,  amidst  all  her  numerous  cares,  taught  them 
to  read  and  instructed  them  in  the  principles  of  Christianity. 
To  accomplish  this,  under  the  circumstances,  was  no  easy 
task.  The  exciting  influences  which  surrounded  them  made 
the  boys  restless  under  restraints  Familiarized,  as  they  were, 
to  hardships  from  the  cradle,  and  daily  listening  to  stories  of 
Indian  massacres  and  depredations,  and  to  the  heroic  exploits 
of  some  neighboring  pioneer  who  had  taken  an  Indian  scalp, 
or,  by  some  daring  efi*ort,  had  saved  his  own ;  ignorant  of  the 
sports  and  toys  with  which  children,  in  other  circumstances,- 
are  wont  to  be  amused,  no  wonder  they  desired  to  emulate  the 
soldiers  or  engage  in  the  scarcely  less  exciting  adventures  of 
the  hunter.  Yet  even  many  of  these  boys  were  subdued  by 
the  faithfulness  of  the  mother,  who  labored  to  bring  them  up 
in  the  fear  of  God. 


46  CONTRAST   WITH    PRESENT   TIMES. 

If  the  reader  would  reflect  upon  the  difficulties  of  emigra- 
tion at  that  early  day  and  those  of  the  present,  he  must  cast 
his  eyes  upon  the  rugged  mountain  steeps,  then  an  almost 
unbroken  and  trackless  wilderness,  haunted  by  all  sorts  of  wild 
and  fierce  beasts  and  poisonous  reptiles.  He  must  then 
observe  that  the  hand  of  civilization  has  since  crossed  them 
by  the  smooth  waters  of  canals,  or  the  gentle  and  even 
ascents  of  turnpikes  and  railroads,  and  strewed  them  thick 
with  the  comforts  of  life.  He  may  then  have  a  faint  idea  of 
the  diiference  of  the  journey ;  and  as  to  the  diiference  of 
living  after  removal  then  and  now,  let  him  consider  that  then 
almost  every  article  of  convenience  and  subsistence  must  be 
brought  with  them,  —  or  rather  could  neither  be  brought  nor 
procured,  —  and  must  necessarily  be  erased  from  the  vocabu- 
lary of  housekeeping.  Let  him  think  what  has  since  been 
done  by  the  power  of  steam  in  ascending  almost  to  the  very 
sources  of  the  various  ramifications  of  our  rivers,  carrying 
all  the  necessaries  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life,  and 
depositing  them  at  points  easy  of  access  to  almost  every  new 
settler ;  and  he  will  see  that  if  settling  is  now  difficult,  it  was 
distressing  then.  When  he  further  reflects  upon  the  abundant 
and  overflowing  products  of  the  West,  compared  with  the 
absence  of  agriculture,  arts,  and  manufactures  in  those  early 
days,  and  now  that  not  only  our  largest  rivers  and  gigantic  lakes, 
but  the  ocean  itself,  by  the  power  of  increased  science,  are 
all  converted  into  mere  ferries,  he  will  at  once  conclude  that 
the  emigrants  to  Liberia,  New  Holland,  Oregon,  or  California, 
can  know  nothing  of  privation  compared  with  the  pioneers 
of  the  West.  If  poverty  or  suff*ering  exist,  benevolence  seeks 
it  out  and  relieves  it,  whether  it  be  far  off  or  near,  whether 
in  Greece  or  the  islands  of  the  sea. 


COMMERCE   OF   THE   WEST.  47 


COMMEKCE  OF  THE  WEST. 

HORSE-PACKING ITS  TER:MINATI0N EMIGRATION  TO  KEN- 
TUCKY  MARKET  TO  NEW  ORLEANS — DANGERS  AND  DIFFICUL- 
TIES   OF    THE    TRAIL    TO    NEW    ORLEANS. 

When  our  emigrants  had  struggled  through  the  first  sum- 
mer, and  the  Indians  had  returned  to  their  homes,  the  leading 
men  set  about  supplying  the  settlements  with  salt  and  iron. 
Thesewndispensable  articles  could  only  be  obtained  east  of 
the  mountains,  at  some  point  accessible  by  wagons  from  a 
sea-port.  W^inchester  and  Chambersburg  were  salt  depots. 
One  man  and  one  or  more  boys  were  selected  from  each  neigh- 
borhood to  take  charge  of  the  horses  which  the  settlers  turned 
into  the  common  concern.  Each  horse  was  provided  with  a 
pack-saddle,  a  halter,  a  lash-rope  to  secure  the  load,  and  suf- 
ficient feed  for  twenty  days,  a  part  of  which  was  left  on  the 
mountains  for  a  return  supply.  The  owner  of  each  horse 
provided  the  means  of  purchasing  his  own  salt.  A  substitute 
for  cash  was  found  in  skins,  furs,  and  ginseng ;  all  of  which 
were  in  demand  east  of  the  mountains.  W^ith  these  articles, 
and  a  supply  of  provisions  for  the  journey,  they  set  out,  after 
selecting  a  captain  for  the  company.  Notwithstanding  the 
fatigues  to  be  endured,  (the  entire  return  journey  having  to  be 
performed  on  foot),  no  office  was  ever  sought  with  more  impor- 
tunity than  was  this  by  the  boys  who  were  old  enough  to  be 
selected  on  this  expedition.  Not  only  salt,  but  merchandise, 
for  the  supply  of  the  country  west  of  the  mountains,  was 
principally  carried  on  pack-horses  until  after  1788.*  It  was 
necessary  to  balance  the  loads  with  great  care  in  order  to 
preserve  the  backs  of  the  horses  from  injury.  If  well  broke 
to  packing,  they  would  travel  twenty-five  miles  a-day. 

*  Packing  continued  to  be  an  important  business  in  Kentucky  until 
1795.  The  merchants  of  that  Stat«,  for  mutual  convenience  and  pro- 
tection, each  provided  with  as  many  horses  and  drivers  as  his  business 
required,  repaired  to  the  place  of  rendezvous,  organized  themselves, 


48  MIGRATING   SPIRIT   INCREASED. 

After  the  first  peace  with  the  Indians,  this  mode  of  impor- 
tation ceased ;  and  the  packers  "who  had  been  the  lions  of  the 
day,  were  succeeded  by  still  greater  lions,  the  keel-boatmen, 
■who  will  be  noticed  hereafter. 

Emigration  continued  to  Western  Pennsylvania.  Even  the 
most  exposed  districts  increased  in  population,  and  many  of 
the  emigrants  of  1785  and  '86,  "were  what  was  then  con- 
sidered rich.  They  introduced  into  the  country  large  stocks 
of  cattle,  sheep,  and  hogs,  cleared  large  farms,  built  grist  and 
saw-mills,  and  gave  employment  to  many  poor  settlers^  But 
notwithstanding  the  brightening  prospects,  the  healthy  climate 
and  good  soil,  many  of  the  settlers  became  restless  and  dis- 
satisfied with  their  location,  which  they  believed  inferior  to 
Kentucky,  or  some  other  country  still  further  off  in  the  West. 
Numbers  sold  their  improvements  in  the  fall  of  1786,  and 
prepared  for  descending  the  Ohio,  with  their  families,  in  the 
spring.  The  various  hardships  which  they  had  encountered 
in  providing  a  home  for  their  families,  seemed  to  increase 
their  enterprise,  and  to  inspire  them  with  a  desire  of  new 
adventures.  Their  anticipated  home  was  as  much  exposed  to 
the  tomahawk,  as  the  one  which  they  were  about  to  leave ; 
besides,  the  hazard  of  descending  the  river  500  miles  in  a 
flat-boat  was  very  great.  The  capture  of  the  boats  and  the 
destruction  of  whole  families  frequently  occurred.  But  these 
dangers  did  not  lessen  the  tide  of  emigration  which  set  down 

appointed  officers,  and  adopted  .regulations  for  their  government. 
Every  man  was  well  armed,  provisioned,  and  furnished  with  camp 
equipage.  The  expedition  was  conducted  on  military  principles.  The 
time  and  place  of  stopping  and  starting  were  settled  by  the  officers,  and 
sentries  always  watched  by  night.  This  company  of  merchants  carried 
to  the  East,  furs,  peltries,  ginseng,  flax,  linen  cloth,  and  specie  (the  latter 
obtained  from  New  Orleans  in  exchange  for  tobacco,  corn  and  whiskey). 
These  articles  obtained  a  ready  sale  in  Philadelphia  or  Baltimore  for 
dry-goods,  groceries,  and  hardware,  including  bar-iron  and  copper  for 
stills.  These  caravans  could  transport  many  tons  of  goods,  and,  when 
arranged  by  experienced  hands,  the  goods  would  be  delivered  without 
injury  in  Kentucky. 


ERECTION    OF    iMILLS — TRADE    TO    N.  ORLEANS.  49 

tlie  river  from  178G  to  1705.  Few  of  these  emigrants  were 
well  to  live.  They  had  sold  their  land  in  Pennsylvania  for  a 
small  sum  which  they  received  in  barter,  generally  in  copper 
for  stills,  which  was  in  great  demand.  A  good  still  of  ofie 
hundred  gallons  would  purchase  two  hundred  acres  of  land, 
even  within  ten  miles  of  Pittsburg,  and  in  Kentucky  could 
be  exchanged  for  a  much  larger  tract. 

The  erection  of  mills  gave  a  great  impulse  to  the  industry 
of  the  settlers  of  Western  Pennsylvania.  New  Orleans  fur- 
nished a  good  market  for  all  the  flour,  bacon,  and  whiskey, 
which  the  upper  country  could  furnish  ;  and  those  who,  in 
1784,  had  suffered  for  want  of  provisions,  in  1790  became 
exporters. 

The  trade  to  New  Orleans,  like  every  enterprise  of  the  day, 
was  attended  with  great  hardship  and  hazard.  The  right 
bank  of  the  Ohio,  for  hundreds  of  miles,  was  alive  with  hostile 
Indians.  The  voyage  was  performed  in  flat-boats,  and  occu- 
pied from  four  to  six  months.  Several  neighbors  united  their 
means  in  building  the  boat,  and  in  getting  up  the  voyage : 
some  giving  their  labor,  and  others  furnishing  materials. 
Each  put  on  board  his  own  produce  at  his  own  risk,  and  one 
of  the  owners  always  accompanied  the  boat,  as  captain  and 
supercargo.  A  boat  of  ordinary  size  required  about  six  hands, 
each  of  whom  generally  received  about  sixty  dollars  a  trip, 
on  his  arrival  at  New  Orleans.  They  returned  either  by  sea 
to  Baltimore,  when  they  would  be  within  300  miles  of  home, 
or  more  generally  through  the  wilderness,  a  distance  of  about 
2000  miles.  A  large  number  of  these  boatmen  were  brought 
together  at  New  Orleans.  Their  journey  home  could  not  be 
made  in  small  parties,  as  they  carried  large  quantities  of 
specie,  and  the  road  was  infested  by  robbers.  The  outlaws 
and  fugitives  from  justice  from  the  States  resorted  to  this 
road.  Some  precautionary  arrangements  were  necessary. 
The  boatmen  who  preferred  returning  through  the  wilderness, 
organized  and  selected  their  oflficers.  These  companies  some- 
times numbered  several  hundred,  and  a  great  proportion  of 
4 


50  THE   KEEL-BOATMEN   AND   THEIR   CHARACTER. 

them  were  armed.  They  were  provided  with  mules  to  carry 
the  specie  and  provisions,  and  some  spare  ones  for  the  sick. 
Those  who  were  able  purchased  mules  or  Indian  ponies  for 
their  use  ;  but  few  could  afford  to  ride.  As  the  journey  was 
usually  performed  after  the  sickly  season  commenced,  and  the 
first  six  or  seven  hundred  miles  was  through  a  flat,  unhealthy 
country,  with  bad  water,  the  spare  mules  were  early  loaded 
with  the  sick.  There  was  a  general  anxiety  to  hasten  through 
this  region  of  malaria.  Officers  would  give  up  their  horses 
to  the  sick,  companions  would  carry  them  forward  as  long  as 
their  strength  enabled ;  but  although  everything  was  done  for 
their  relief  which  could  be  done  without  retarding  their 
journey,  many  died  on  the  way,  or  were  left  to  the  care  of 
the  Indian  or  hunter  who  had  settled  on  the  road.  Many 
who  survived  an  attack  of  fever  and  reached  the  healthy 
country  of  Tennessee,  were  long  recovering  sufficient  strength 
to  resume  their  journey  home.  One  would  suppose  that  men 
would  be  reluctant  in  engaging  in  a  service  so  perilous  to 
health  and  life,  without  extraordinary  compensation.  But 
such  were  the  love  of  adventure,  and  recklessness  of  danger, 
prevalent  with  western  young  men,  that  there  was  no  lack  of 
hands.  The  sight  of  50  Spanish  dollars  in  the  hands  of  a 
returned  boatman  was  a  powerful  incentive  to  those  who, 
perhaps,  never  had  a  dollar  of  their  own. 

But  we  hasten  to  introduce  to  the  reader  some  account  of 
the  first  minister  of  the  gospel  who  fell  in  the  battle-field  of 
Christian  conflict  in  the  West,  and  found  the  first  minister's 
grave  in  the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi. 


LIFE  AND  TIMES 


OF   THE 


REV.  JOSEPH  SMITH, 

ONE   OF   THE   FIRST    MINISTERS   OF   WESTERN   PENNSYLVANIA.* 


To  be  employed  as  instruments  In  laying  the  foundations 
of  flourishing  States  and  well-regulated  kingdoms,  has  ever 
been  regarded  as  securing  a  just  passport  to  honor  and 
renown.  There  is  another  achievement  that  claims  a  niche 
not  much  lower  in  the  temple  of  fame,  and,  doubtless,  in 
many  instances,  will  reach  a  still  higher  place  in  the  temple 
not  made  with  hands.  A  right  direction  given  to  commu- 
nities in  the  early  stages  of  their  formation,  as  to  the  stand- 
ard of  public  and  private  morals,  and  the  prevalent  tone  of 
religious  sentiment,  especially  when  those  communities  are 
destined  to  germinate  into  mighty  and  wide-spread  republics, 
is  a  work  not  likely  to  be  entrusted  by  Divine  Providence  to 
ordinary  men,  and  seldom  achieved  by  ordinary  hands.  It  is 
not  always  easy  to  settle  this  question  of  precedence  between 
those  who  have  secured  for  their  country  Magna  Chartas  and 

*  In  the  preparation  of  this  paper,  we  have  been  essentially  aided  by 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Elliott,  who  kindly  furnished  several  facts  and  incidents 
in  addition  to  those  supplied  by  his  biographical  notice  of  the  subject 
of  this  memoir,  appended  to  his  valuable  "  Life  of  Macurdy."  We  arc 
also  indebted  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  William  Wylie,  for  a  number  of  anecdotes 
and  dates ;  some  things,  also,  we  gathered  from  aged  persons  living  in 
the  bounds  of  Cross  creek,  and  Buffalo,  and  from  others  in  Ohio. 

51 


52  LIFE   AND    TIMES    OF    THE 

free  constitutions,  and  those  who  have  trained  a  people  to 
become  capable  and  worthy  of  enjoying  such  blessings.  Who 
will  say  that  the  old  English  barons  in  Runnymede  did  more 
for  British  freedom  than  Cranmer,  and  Knox,  and  their  com- 
peers ?  or  that  Lord  Somcrs,  regarded  as  the  main  instrument 
in  securing  the  present  English  constitutional  government, 
was  a  greater  benefactor  to  his  race  than  Robinson,  the  hum- 
ble minister  of  the  exiles  in  Holland,  who  aided  in  training 
and  sending  forth  the  first  race  of  noble  pilgrims  that  landed 
on  Plymouth  Rock  ?  However  such  respective  claims  to  the 
grateful  remembrance  of  posterity  may  be  settled,  surely  we 
cannot  regard  without  special  interest  the  work  of  those  who 
were  first  employed  in  sowing  the  seed  of  the  kingdom  in  this 
mighty  republic.  And  if,  as  is  commonly  believed,  the  vast 
Yalley  of  the  Mississippi,*  soon  about  to  possess  the  majority 
of  our  population,  will  control  the  destinies  of  this  land,  and 
if  we  believe  that  the  religion  of  the  Bible  alone  can  save  our 
land  from  utter  anarchy,  and  moral  desolation  and  ruin,  is 
there  not  an  interest  of  a  peculiar  character  attached  to  the 
self-denying  toils,  and  struggles,  and  dangers  of  those  who 
were  first  honored  as  instruments  in  diffusing  that  religion  in 
the  western  world — an  interest  scarcely  yielding  to  that  with 
which  we  invest  the  character  and  work  of  M'Kemie,  and 
Andrews,  and  their  associates  ?     ^ 

That  portion  of  the  Yalley  of  the  Mississippi  which  was 
first  yielded  up  by  the  aboriginal  tribes  to  the  settlement  and 
home  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  race,  and  which  has  been  the  most 
abundant  hive  for  other  sections  of  the  West,  is  Western 
Pennsylvania.  For,  after  the  encroachments  of  the  French 
and  their  Indian  allies  were  successfully  repelled,  and  the 
treaty  of  peace,  signed  at  Fontainbleau,  November  3d,  1762, 
secured  to  the  British  crown  this  long-disputed  section  of  the 
West,  emigrants  from  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  Virginia,  Scot- 

*  This  phrase  is  often,  perhaps  most  frequently,  used  to  denote  that 
portion  of  North  America  whose  waters  are  drained  by  the  Mississippi, 
and  not  merely  the  region  bordering  that  river. 


REV.    JOSUPII    SMITH.  53 

land,  and  the  Xortli  of  Ireland,  began  to  pour  in,  and,  in  the 
course  of  twelve  or  fifteen  years,  formed  extensive  settlements 
through  what  now  constitutes  the  counties  of  Fayette,  West- 
moreland, Indiana,  Allegheny,  Greene,  and  "Washington. 
For  a  considerable  time,  there  was  no  settled  ministry  of  the 
gospel,  seldom  even  a  missionary,  among  them.  Yet  a  large 
proportion  of  these  early  pioneers  were  the  children  of  the 
Church.  They  had  been  baptised,  and  brought  up  in  its 
bosom ;  and  some  of  them  had,  previous  to  their  emigration, 
entered  its  communion.  For  a  few  years  their  situation  was 
critical  and  perilous  in  the  extreme.  Had  their  religious 
interests  fallen  into  unfaithful  or  incompetent  hands,  or  had 
they  been  even  a  little  longer  neglected,  to  all  human  appear- 
ance the  result  must  have  been  of  fearful  moment  to  them- 
selves and  their  posterity.  But  God  had  purposes  of  mercy 
for  these  offspring  of  his  people.  He  was  at  this  very  time 
preparing  a  class  of  no  ordinary  men*  to  enter  this  field,  and 
lay  the  foundation  of  our  western  Zion,  that  vast  building  that 
is  still  rising  higher  and  higher,  and  that  our  children's  chil- 

*  The  following  quotations  from  Doddridge's  *'  Notes  on  the  Life  and 
Manners  of  the  first  Western  Settlers,"  seem  not  out  of  place  here. 
This  Mr.  Doddridge  was  an  Episcopal  clergyman,  and  a  brother  of  the 
late  distinguished  Philip  Doddridge,  Esq.,  a  member  of  Congress  from 
Western  Virginia.  These  "  Notes"  were  published  in  a  small  volume, 
many  years  ago  ;  but  I  quote  from  them  as  I  find  them  in  the  Appendix 
to  Kirchevars  History  of  the  Valley  of  Virginia,  chapter  31,  page  403. 
"  The  ministry  of  the  gospel  has  contributed,  no  doubt  immensely,  to 
the  happy  change  which  has  been  eflFected  in  the  state  of  our  western 
society.  At  an  early  period  of  our  settlements,  three  Presbyterian 
clergymen  commenced  their  clerical  labors  in  our  infant  settlements  — 
the  Ptcv.  Joseph  Smith,  the  Rev.  John  M'Millan,  and  the  Rev.  James 
Power.  They  wore  pious,  patient,  laborious  men,  who  collected  their 
people  into  regular  congregations,  and  did  for  them  all  that  their  cir- 
cumstances would  allow.  It  was  no  disparagement  to  them  that  their 
first  churches  were  the  shady  groves,  and  their  first  pulpits  a  kind  of 
tent,  constructed  of  a  few  rough  s?labs,  and  covered  with  clapboards. 
He  who  dwelleth  not  exclusively  in  temples  made  with  hands,  was 
propitious  to  their  devotions." 


54  LIFE   AND   TIMES    OF   THE 

dren  will  not  see  completed.  Within  the  compass  of  three  or 
four  years,  James  Finley,  James  Power,  John  McMillan, 
Joseph  Smith,  Thaddeus  Dod,  and  J.  Clarke,  all  were  found 
at  their  stations  in  this  singularly  important  field.  Some  of 
them  had  been  out  in  the  new  settlements  for  a  few  months  as 
missionaries,  and  then  returned  to  their  eastern  homes  or 
churches.  Indeed,  as  to  full  pastoral  and  ministerial  work, 
they  almost  entered  abreast  upon  the  mighty  harvest.  Every 
one  of  those  named  above,  deserves  an  extended  memoir. 
We  select,  for  our  first  biographical  notice,  the  fourth  name 
in  the  list;  not  because  it  designates  the  first  laborer  in  the 
vineyard,  but  because,  with  the  exception  of  Mr.  Finley  and 
Mr.  Clarke,  he  was  the  oldest,  and,  without  exception,  the 
earliest  called  to  his  rest,  and  perhaps  the  mightiest  of  them 
all  in  wielding  the  sword  of  the  Spirit.  But  few  fragments 
of  reminiscences  can  now  be  gathered  of  this  race  of  ministers. 
The  motto  of  England's  greatest  Chancellor,  "prodesse  po- 
tius  quam  conspici,"  seems  to  have  been  theirs,  and  of  none 
of  them  more  than  of  the  subject  of  this  paper.  In  Dr. 
Hodge's  Constitutional  History  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
vol.  ii.,  p.  343,  it  is  stated,  "In  1769,  John  M'Creary  and 
Joseph  Smith  were  added  to  the  roll  (of  the  Presbytery  of 
New  Castle).  Both  of  these  were  distinguished  men.  The 
latter,  pre-eminent  for  piety  and  energy,  was  one  of  the 
fathers  of  our  Church  in  Western  Pennsylvania." 

This  devoted  servant  of  God,  Mr.  Smith, was  born  in  1736, 
in  Nottingham,  Maryland,  not  far  from  the  Susquehanna 
river.  His  father's  farm  was  on  the  road  leading  from  that 
river  to  Wilmington,  Delaware,  near  what  is  called  the  Rising 
Sun.  His  parents  were  natives  of  England,  professors  of 
religion,  and  regarded  as  very  pious  and  exemplary  persons. 
Of  his  early  education,  and  of  his  first  religious  exercise  of 
mind,  nothing  is  known.  It  would  appear  that  he  was  out 
of  his  minority  when  he  turned  his  thoughts  towards  the 
scholastic  preparation  which  was  required  for.  entering  the 
gospel  ministry.     For,  as  he  graduated  at  Princeton  in  1764, 


REV.    JOSEPH    SMITU.  55 

he  was  then  28  years  of  age.  Nassau  Hall,  our  first  colle- 
giate Presbyterian  school  of  the  prophets,  was  then  enjoying 
the  presidency  of  Dr.  Samuel  Finley,  to  whose  saintly  piety, 
and  triumphant  death,  the  eloquent  pen  of  Dr.  John  M. 
Mason  has  given  a  world-wide  fame.  His  name  is  attached 
to  Mr.  Smith's  diploma.*  At  Drawyers,  August  5th,  1767, 
Mr.  Smith  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  New  Castle,  to 
preach  the  gospel.  No  information  has  been  obtained  as  to 
his  theological  training.  He  appears  to  have  acquired  con- 
siderable knowledge  of  the  original  languages  of  Scripture. 
The  Hebrew  Bible,  the  Greek  Testament,  Leigh's  Critica 
Sacra,  and  Pool's  Synopsis,  were  his  companions  during  his 
subsequent  life.  On  the  20th  of  October,  1768,  he  accepted 
a  call  from  the  congregation  of  Lower  Brandywine,  and 
was  ordained  and  installed  their  pastor,  April  19th,  1769. 
He  had  married  Miss  Esther  Cummins,  daughter  of  "William 
Cummins,  merchant,  of  Cecil  County,  Maryland,  a  short  time 
before  he  was  licensed.  However  questionable  the  wisdom 
of  this  order  of  events  in  a  minister's  history  in  most  cases, 
we  can  hardly  doubt  that  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Smith,  then 

*  We  give  the  old  ante-Revolutionary  form,  with  all  the  signatures, 
as  a  literary  curiosity,  in  the  following  exact  copy  of  Mr.  Smith's 
Diploma. 

"  Praeses  et  Curatores,  —  Collegii  Neo-Caesariensis,  —  Omnibus  et 
Singulis  has  literas  lecturis :  Salutem  in  Domino. 

"  Notum  sit  quod  nobis  placet,  Auctoritate  regio  Diplomate  commissa, 
Josephum  Smith,  Candidatum  primum  in  Artibus  Gradum  competentem 
Examine  Sufficiente  primo  approbatum,  titulo,  graduque  artium  libera- 
lium  Baccalaiirei  adornare.  Cujus  Sigillum  commune  Collegii  Xeu- 
Caesariensis  huic  membranae  affixum,  Nominaque  nostra  subscripta 
Testimonium  sint. 

Samuel  Finley,  D.D.  Praeses. 
Datum  in  Aula  Nassovica  Gulielmus  Texnext, 


Sexto  Calendas  Octobris  Richardu.s  Treat, 

Anno  iErae  Christi  Guliel.  P.  Smith, 

Millesimo  Septingentesimo  Saml.  Woodruff, 

Sexagesimo  quarto.  Johans.  Braixard, 

ROBERTUS    OgDEX, 


56  LIFE   AND   TIMES   OF   THE 

nearly,  if  not  quite,  thirty  years  of  age,  it  was  not  very 
unsafe  or  imprudent.  His  wife  was  a  lady  of  remarkable 
piety,  intelligence,  and  refinement  of  manners,  and  proved  to 
be  a  help-meet,  indeed,  till  the  day  of  his  death,  surviving 
him  more  than  twenty  years. 

Difficulties  having  sprung  up  in  the  congregation  relative 
to  the  site  of  a  church,  the  pastoral  relation  between  him  and 
that  people  was  dissolved  on  the  26th  of  August,  1772.  At 
the  same  meeting  of  the  Presbytery,  he  received  a  call  from 
the  congregations  of  Rocky  Creek  and  Long  Cane,  South 
Carolina.  It  is  not  improbable  that  he  had  visited  some  of 
the  southern  churches,  soon  after  he  was  licensed,  by  appoint- 
ment of  his  presbytery,  or  of  his  synod,  just  as  Dr.  Power 
and  Dr.  M'Millan,  afterwards  his  fellow-laborers  and  co-pres- 
byters in  the  West,  are  reported  to  have  done,  when  licentiates 
of  the  same  Presbytery.  This  call  from  the  South  he  declined, 
and  accepted  an  appointment  as  a  supply  to  his  former  con- 
gregation for  one  year.  About  this  time  he  began  to  preach 
in  Wilmington,  Delaware.  This  proved  the  occasion  of  great 
dissension  among  the  people,  as  the  Rev.  William  M'Kennan 
was  already  preaching  in  that  place.  After  a  season  of  much 
excitement,  during  which  various  petitions  and  remonstrances 
were  carried  up  to  the  Presbytery  on  the  subject,  that  body, 
on  the  12th  of  August,  1773,  put  into  his  hands  a  call  from 
the  Second  Church  of  Wilmington.  This  action  of  the 
Presbytery  seems  clearly  to  exonerate  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  from  any  blame  or  censure  in  his  course  at  Wilmington. 
This  very  significant  call  he  held  in  his  hands  till  the  fall  of 
the  next  year.  In  the  meantime,  this  congregation  of  Wil- 
mington having  united  with  that  of  Lower  Brandywine,  in 
seeking  his  pastoral  labors,  he  accepted  this  united  call,  and 
became  their  pastor,  October  27th,  1774.  In  these  churches 
he  labored  until  April  29th,  1778,  when,  at  his  request,  the 
pastoral  relation  was  dissolved.  In  the  minutes  of  the  Pres- 
bytery, it  is  added,  "by  reason  of  the  difficult  state  of  our 
public   affairs."     This    expression    alludes  to  the  distracted 


REV.    JOSEPH    SMITH.  57 

State  of  the  country,  and  especially  of  that  part  of  Delaware, 
being  then  involved  in  some  of  the  most  harassing  and  bloody 
scenes  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  Some  time  in  the  prece- 
ding August,  General  Ilowe  had  landed  a  formidable  British 
army,  at  the  head  of  Elk  river.  On  the  11th  of  September, 
General  Washington,  with  the  American  forces  then  under 
his  command,  met  his  country's  foes  near  the  Brandywine, 
which  stream  has  given  its  name  to  that  memorable  battle. 
The  fearful  cannonading  on  that  field  of  slaughter  was  dis- 
tinctly heard  in  the  comparatively  neighboring  town  of  Wil- 
mington, and  perhaps  shook  many  a  window  there  on  that 
day.  Mrs.  Smith  who  was  in  very  feeble  health  at  the  time, 
soon  after  gave  birth  to  their  fourth  child.  The  nervous 
excitement  produced  by  the  roar  of  the  cannon,  and  its  horrid 
associations,  threatened  to  prove  fatal  to  both  mother  and 
child;  but  they  were  mercifully  preserved,  the  mother  to 
sustain  and  increase  the  usefulness  of  her  husband  while  he 
lived ;  the  feeble  infant,  prematurely  born,  to  become,  in 
future  years,  the  wife  of  one  minister,  and  the  mother  of 
another. 

Soon  after  these  events,  Mr.  Smith,  urged,  no  doubt,  by  an 
imperative  sense  of  duty,  as  a  husband,  parent  and  minister, 
retired  with  his  family  into  the  Barrens  of  York,  a  district 
of  country  now,  perhaps,  partly  included  in  Adams  County. 
Here  he  resided  for  a  little  more  than  a  year ;  but  it  was  a 
memorable  year  in  his  history,  as  will  presently  appear.  For 
some  time  he  preached  the  gospel  with  great  success,  "  in  the 
region  round  about."  Though  he  had  no  thought  of  remain- 
ing there,  he  labored  as  incessantly  as  though  it  were  his 
chosen  field  for  life,  and  his  ministry  was  abundantly  fruitful. 
One  of  his  neighbors  and  spiritual  children  had  recently 
married,  and  returned  home  late  in  the  week  with  his  young 
wife.  Several  of  his  neighbors,  with  their  wives,  much  to  the 
annoyance  of  the  young  man,  paid  them  a  complimentary 
call  on  the  Sabbath  day,  just  as  they  were  preparing  to  set 
out  for  the  church,  which  was  quite  near.     These  unseason- 


58  LIFE   AND   TIxMES    OF   THE 

able  visitants  were  Quakers.  The  young  man  succeeded, 
however,  in  persuading  them  to  go  with  him  to  hear  their  new 
minister,  Mr.  Smith,  of  whom  he  gave  them  such  an  account 
as  to  awaken  their  curiosity.  The  result  was  the  hopeful 
conversion  of  several  of  the  party. 

Early  in  the  following  spring,  Mr.  Smith  paid  a  short  visit 
to  Western  Pennsylvania.  The  Rev.  John  M'Millan  had 
removed,  wath  his  family,  to  that  region  a  few  months  before. 
The  Rev.  James  Power  had  already  been  residing  there  since 
the  fall  of  1776.  How  far  his  mind  was  influenced  by  his 
intercourse  or  correspondence  with  them,  is  not  now  known. 
Before  this  great  event  of  his  life,  however,  he  was  called  to 
experience  a  severe  preparatory  trial.  He  w^as  taken  sick, 
and  lay  for  some  time  under  the  pressure  of  a  severe  and 
dangerous  fever,  at  the  point  of  death.  The  people  met,  as 
they  were  wont,  in  a  large  barn,  to  hold  their  prayer  meeting, 
on  a  Sabbath  day.  Tidings  came  that  there  was  scarcely  a 
hope  of  his  recovery.  It  was  requested  that  prayer  should 
be  offered  in  his  behalf.  The  first  man  who  led  in  their 
devotions,  forgot  his  case,  the  second  said  but  little,  and  so, 
the  third.  His  friend,  James  Edgar,  then  a  young  man, 
afterwards  distinguished  for  his  piety,  his  usefulness,  and  his 
great  influence,  both  in  church  and  state,  in  Western  Penn- 
sylvania, was  at  that  prayer  meeting ;  he  left  it,  with  agonized 
feelings,  to  repair  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Smith,  and  to  see  him, 
as  he  feared  on  his  deathbed.  As  he  approached  the  house, 
he  met  an  old  lady,  who  was  considered  among  them  a  mother 
in  Israel.  Mr.  Edgar  eagerly  asked  her  about  Mr.  Smith. 
*'  He  is  worse,"  said  she.  Mr.  Edgar's  heart  sunk  within 
him.  "But,"  added  she,  "he  will  not  die,  for  the  Lord  hath 
told  me  to-day,  that  he  will  raise  him  up,  and  send  him  out 
to  the  West,  to  preach  the  gospel."  This  she  uttered  with 
great  confidence  and  vivacity.  Soon  after  this,  and  while 
Judge  Edgar  was  still  sitting  by  the  bedside  of  Mr.  Smith, 
a  manifest  change  took  place  in  the  appearance  and  symptoms 
of  his  beloved  minister,  and  he  began  to  recover  rapidly  from 


REV.    JOSEPH    SMITH.  59 

that  hour.  We  mention  this  singular,  but  well-attested  fact, 
and  the  remarkable  language  of  the  old  lady,  without  com- 
ment, only  observing,  that  however  it  may  have  an  air  of 
fanaticism,  it  seems  to  illustrate  a  feature  of  the  religious 
character  and  sentiment  of  those  days,  not  unlike  those  of 
the  old  Puritans  and  Scottish  Reformers.  In  D'Aubigne's 
Life  of  Cromwell,  the  reader  will  find  some  very  just  and 
scriptural  views  on  this  subject.  In  the  case  above  stated, 
we  suppose  this  lady  did  not  mean,  nor  did  Mr.  Edgar  so 
understand  her,  that  she  had  any  express  revelation  from 
heaven,  but  only  a  strong  and  firm  persuasion  from  the 
liberty  and  enlargement  of  soul  she  enjoyed,  in  pouring  out 
her  heart  for  her  minister  at  the  feet  of  her  Saviour. 

In  this  connexion,  it  may  be  proper  to  mention,  that  shortly 
before  their  removal  from  "Wilmington,  as  Mr.  Smith  and  his 
wife  were  returning  from  an  evening  walk,  about  sundown, 
in  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  and  near  an  adjoining  wood, 
they  both  distinctly  heard  strains  of  sweet  and  melodious 
music  over  the  tops  of  the  trees,  that  seemed  to  them  to  rise 
and  float  away  into  the  distant  skies.  They  listened  to  it  for 
some  minutes.  They  often  spoke  of  it,  especially  Mrs.  Smith, 
but  rather  confidentially :  she  was  far  from  being  a  weak  or 
superstitious  woman.  Whatever  might  have  been  the  cause 
or  source  of  this  music,  conveyed,  possibly,  by  some  peculiar 
law  of  acoustics,  from  a  distant  band  in  the  British  or  Ame- 
rican camp,  similar  to  that  w^hich  has  been  noticed  at  a  point 
oft'  the  coast  of  Rio  Janeiro,  where  the  sound  of  bells  and 
of  music  from  the  city,  though  out  of  sight,  is  distinctly 
heard  —  however  we  may  account  for  it,  why  may  we  not 
regard  it  as  under  a  special  providential  direction,  and  de- 
signed, as  we  have  no  doubt  it  served,  to  encourage  and  cheer 
them  in  the  prospect  of  setting  out,  at  no  distant  day,  with 
their  family  of  helpless  children,  to  the  wilds  of  Western 
Pennsylvania  ?  *     In  this  sickness,  from  which  he  was  raised 

*  We  are  surprised  to  find  so  excellent  a  writer  as  Dr.  Mosheim 
speaking  rather  sneeringly  of  ''the  pious  sort  of  mistake"  that  the 


60  LIFE    AND   TIMES    OF   THE 

up  from  the  very  jaws  of  death,  he  doubtless  received  a  fresh 
baptism  of  divine  influence,  designed  to  prepare  him  for  his 
future  work.  His  illness,  from  some  of  the  circumstances 
mentioned,  must  have  been  in  the  summer  or  fall  of  1778. 

Early  in  the  following  spring,  in  April,  1779,  we  find  him 
in  Western  Pennsylvania,  on  a  short  visit,  where  he  labored 
for  a  few  weeks  in  a  part  of  what  is  now  Washington  County, 
then  quite  a  frontier  settlement.  After  remaining  for  some 
time  breaking  to  these  people  in  the  wilderness  the  bread  of 
life,  he  returned,  and  soon  a  call  was  sent  after  him  to  his 
Presbytery.  This  call  is  dated  June  21st,  1779,  and  is  a 
remarkable  document.     The  following  is  an  accurate  copy : 

A  call  from  the  United  Congregations  at  Buffalo  and  Cross  Creek,  to 
the  Rev.  Joseph  Smith,  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  Castle. 

Worthy  and  Dear  Sir,  —  Having,  under  the  direction 
of  Divine  Providence,  been  removed  into  this  new  country 
where  the  blessing  of  the  gospel  has  never  been  enjoyed  in 
the  stated  ordinances,  or  but  seldom ;  but  being  of  late  favored 
with  an  opportunity  of  hearing  you,  reverend  sir,  to  our 
satisfaction,  and  we  trust  the  edification  of  our  souls ;  we  do 
unanimously  agree  to  invite,  beseech,  and  pray  you  to  take 
the  pastoral  care,  under  God,  of  our  souls.  For  encourage- 
ment we  do  promise,  if  you  should  accept  of  this  our  call,  to 
yield  all  due  subjection  in  the  Lord,  by  i:egularly  attending 
on  the  Word  preached,  and  ordinances  administered  by  you, 
and  by  endeavoring  to  improve  them,  through  divine  grace, 
for  the  edification  of  our  souls ;  and  by  submission  to  the 
due  exercise  of  discipline,  if  our  faults  should  at  any  time 
deserve  censure.  And  that  you  may  be  free  from  the  incum- 
brances of  the  world,  so  as  to  attend  upon  your  ministry,  we 
do  promise  you  a  competency  of  the  good  things  of  this  life, 

Christians  made  ;  he,  considering  the  sJiower,  as  he  calls  it,  which  rescued 
the  Roman  army  from  destruction,  a  mere  happy  coincidence,  and  not 
any  special  interposition  of  Divine  Providence,  in  answer  to  the  prayers 
of  Christian  soldiers.     See  Mos.  Eccl.  Hist.  2d  Cent.  p.  1.  ch.  i. 


REV.    JOSEPH    SMITH.  61 

with  Avhicli  God  has  blessed  us ;  particularly  -we  promise  to 
pay  yearly  and  every  year,  during  your  incumbency  among 
us,  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds,  Pennsylvania 
currency  (money  equal  in  value  to  what  it  was  in  the  year 
1774),  viz. :  seventy-five  pounds  from  each  congregation  — 
they  employing  your  ministerial  labors  equally. 

And  now,  reverend  sir,  when  we  consider  the  great  loss 
youth  sustain,  by  growing  up  without  the  stated  means  of 
grace ;  the  formality  likely  to  spread  over  the  aged,  and  the 
great  danger  of  ungodliness  prevailing  amongst  both :  there 
being  divers  denominations  of  people  among  us  who  hold  dan- 
gerous principles,  tending  to  mislead  many  weak  and  ignorant 
people :  we  cannot  but  renew  our  earnest  entreaties  that  you 
would  accept  this  our  hearty  call.  That  the  Glorious  Head 
of  the  Church  may  direct  you  to  what  may  be  most  for  his 
glory,  and  your  future  comfort  and  usefulness — is  the  earnest 
prayer  of  your  humble  suppliants. 

"We,  the  inhabitants  of  the  upper  and  lower  congregations 
of  Cross  Creek,  do  promise  to  pay  or  cause  to  be  paid  unto 
the  Rev.  Joseph  Smith,  annually,  during  his  regular  incum- 
bency among  us  as  a  gospel  minister,  the  several  sums  annexed 
to  our  names,  respectively :  and  whereas  money  is  become  of 
less  value,  and  every  article  has  arisen  to  an  extravagant 
price :  therefore  we  do  hereby  agree  that  the  said  sums  shall 
be  annually  regulated  by  five  men,  chosen  in  each  congrega- 
tion ;  and  be  made  equal  in  value  to  what  the  said  sums  would 
have  been  in  the  year  1774.* 

Witness  our  hands,  June  21,  1779. 

*  The  depreciation  of  the  paper  currency,  or  continental  money,  had, 
in  1779,  become  a  very  serious  burden  to  the  people ;  and  all  over  the 
country,  great  ingenuity  was  exercised  to  discover  a  remedy.  Embar- 
goes, commercial  restrictions,  tender  laws,  and  limitations  of  prices  were 
all  tried — but  in  vain.  Prices  still  sank.  "  I  had  money  enough,  some 
time  ago,"  said  a  merchant  of  those  times,  "  to  buy  a  hogshead  of  sugar : 
I  sold  it  again,  and  got  a  great  deal  more  money  than  it  cost  me ;  yet, 
when  I  went  to  market  again,  the  money  would  not  get  me  a  tierce.  I 
sold  that  too,  at  a  great  profit ;  yet  the  money  received  would  only  buy 


62  LIFE   AND   TIMES    OF   THE 

Then  follow  six  columns  of  names,  amounting  to  204  :  and 
the  amount  of  their  subscriptions  is  £197  5s.  6d. :  thus  abun- 
dantly exceeding  the  amount  (£150)  promised  in  the  call.  It 
is  evident  that  they  followed  no  special  form  in  the  construc- 
tion of  this  paper ;  and  the  uniting  of  the  call  and  the  sub- 
scription paper  into  one  document,  gives  it  quite  an  original 
character.  We  need  hardly  say  that  there  are  some  passages 
in  this  call  of  a  most  solemn  and  touching  character.  Alto- 
gether, it  is  a  curious  original  paper,  evincing  great  ability 
and  fervent  piety.  Most  probably,  it  was  drawn  up  by  Judge 
Edgar ;  though  of  that  we  have  no  direct  evidence.  It  ap- 
pears also  that  a  call  was  sent  to  him  from  Peter's  Creek ; 
but  on  the  27th  of  October,  1779,  he  signified  to  the  Presby- 
tery his  acceptance  of  the  call  to  Cross  Creek  and  Buffalo ; 
and  the  next  year,  1780,  moved  into  the  bounds  of  the  latter, 
and  became,  in  due  time,  their  regular  pastor.  Here  he  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life — twelve  years. 

Mr.  Edgar,  of  whom  we  have  already  spoken,  had  removed 
also  into  Cross  Creek  congregation,  a  year  or  some  months 
before,  and  became  one  of  his  most  efficient  elders.  Perhaps-^ 
no  pastor  was  ever  more  blessed  with  a  bench  of  devotedly 
pious  elders,  than  was  Mr.  Smith.  They  were  indeed  men 
"mighty  in  prayer."  Sustained  by  such  men,  and  by  a  re- 
markably praying  people,*  he  was  "instant  in  season  and  out 

a  barrel.     I  have  now  more  money  than  ever ;  yet  I  am  not  so  rich  as 
when  I  had  less."— Hist.  Pitts.,  p.  145. 

3  *  It  is  said  that  through  the  summer,  during  the  interval  of  public 
worship,  you  could  stray  in  no  direction  through  the  surrounding  forest, 
without  hearing  the  voice  of  secret  prayer ;  and  if  you  would  return  to 
the  church,  you  could  hear  the  low  sound  of  a  whisper  from  the  pulpit, 
where  the  pastor,  who  seldom  came  out  of  it  during  such  intervals,  was 
likewise  wrestling  with  the  angel  of  the  covenant.  This  fact  has  been 
attested  by  several  unquestionable  witnesses.  The  Rev.  Dr.  James  Her- 
vey,  some  years  ago,  stated  to  the  Synod  of  Wheeling,  that  when  a  very 
small  boy,  he  one  Sabbath,  during  "  intermission,"  being  near  the  door 
of  Mr.  Smith's  church,  went  in.  The  house  was  vacated,  but  he  heard 
Mr.  S.  engaged  in  prayer  in  the  pulpit ;  and  it  gave  him  an  awful  and 


REV.    JOSEPH    SMITH.  63 

of  season."     A  revival  of  religion  soon  began,  which  never 
ceased  till  the  day  of  his  death,  and  for  some  years  after — a 
revival  of  twelve  or  fifteen  years  !     Incredible  as  this  may 
now  appear,  there  are  still  living  credible  and  intelligent  wit- 
indelible  impression  of  the  presence  of  God  filling  the  house.     This  was 
the  first  deep  and  abiding  awakening  of  his  conscience.     Mr.  S.  had 
indeed,  from  an  early  period  of  his  labors,  a  race  of  "  wrestling  Jacobs," 
and  "  mothers  in  Israel,"  that  we  fear  cannot  be  easily  found  now. 
The  eminent  piety  of  a  large  number  of  Western  Presbyterians  is  affec- 
tionately remembered  by  thousands  of  their  descendants  to  this  day. 
When,  more  than  thirty  years  ago,  we  read  in  Dr.  Miller's  sermon, 
preached  at  the  ordination  of  the  late  lamented  Dr.  Nevins,  of  Balti- 
more, some  remarks  about  cities  tending  to  produce  intensity  of  charac- 
ter, and  therefore  favorable  to  the  production  of  the  most  eminent  piety, 
we  hesitated,  and  we  hesitate  still,  to  give  an  unqualified  assent  to  his 
views.     A  distinguished  minister  of  our  Church  (the  late  Dr.  Mathews, 
of  the  New  Albany  Theological  Seminary)  remarked  to  us,  after  reading 
Dr.  Miller's  statements,  that  the  pious  John  Newton  seemed  to  differ 
from  him ;  for  he  had  said,  somewhere  in  his  works,  that  were  Great 
Britain  searched,  by  an  angel,  for  the  most  pious  person,  he  would  pos- 
sibly find  that  person  an  old  woman,  sitting  at  her  spinning-wheel  in 
some  retired  corner  of  the  kingdom.     It  often  occurred  to  us  to  ask 
when  and  where  do  we  find  the  brightest  monuments  of  holiness.    Who 
and  what  was  Enoch,  "  who  walked  with  God?"    Who  were  Abraham, 
Isaac,  and  Jacob  ?  and  where  did  they  dwell  ?     It  will  be  remembered 
also  that  God  chose  for  his  covenanted  people,  a  pastoral  and  agricul- 
tural life.     The  whole  genius  of  the  Mosaic  institutions,  as  Michaelis 
has  clearly  shown,  was  designed  to  make  and  keep  the  Jews  a  rural 
people.    [A  pastoral  and  agricultural  people;  not  strictly  a  rural  people, 
in  the  modern  sense  of  the  term.]     It  is  a  natural  inference  that  such  a 
state  is  on  the  whole  most  favorable  to  piety.     Who  also  Avere  the  Wal- 
denses,  and  where  did  they  live  ?     The  history  of  the  Culdees  of  Scot- 
land and  Ireland  may  likewise  be  cited  for  illustration.     And  the  more 
modern  history  of  the  Covenanters  and  of  the  Huguenots  through  the 
South  of  France,  will,  perhaps,  occur  to  many  as  furnishing  materials 
for  a  decision  on  this  point.     But  our  own  country  has  had  many  illus- 
trious proofs  of  a  deep  and  fervent  piety,  that  never  drew  any  aid  from 
the  busy  haunts  of  men.     In  Virginia  are  many  rural  spots,  for  ever 
sacred  to  the  memory  of  those  who  lived  near  to  God,  and  "  quite  on 
the  verge  of  heaven."     But  without  designing  any  invidious  comparison, 
I  would  select  the  early  race  of  Western  Presbyterians,  as  presenting 


64  LIFE   AND   TIMES    OF   THE 

nessGS  of  tliat  fact.  It  is  true  there  vrere  periods  of  compara- 
tive declension ;  but  during  all  this  time,  scarcely  one  Sab- 
bath occurred  when  some  new  cases  of  conviction  or  conver- 
sion did  not  become  known.  And  this,  too,  in  the  midst  of 
the  trials  and  perils  of  frontier  life,  when  they  were  often  in 
imminent  danger  from  savage  foes — when,  sometimes,  they 
were  compelled  to  retire  to  forts  or  block-houses  to  protect 
themselves  from  the  merciless  tomahawk.  Sometimes  a  fresh 
outpouring  of  the  Spirit  would  take  place,  while  they  were 
actually  gathered  in  Fort  Yance,  to  shelter  themselves  from 
some  new  invasion  of  the  Indians.  But  these  troubles  were 
<i-     not  very  frequent,  nor  of  long  continuance. 

It  was  a  remarkable  circumstance,  that  between  Mr. 
Smith's  congregations  and  the  Ohio,  and  along  up  and  down 
the  river,  for  thirty  or  forty  miles,  there  was  early  settled,  or 
"squatted"  rather,  a  peculiar  population,  many  of  them  from 
Eastern  Virginia — well  suited,  from  their  habits  and  training 
as  hunters,  and  from  their  adoption  of  Indian  modes  of  war- 
fare, to  fight  with  the  savages,  and  to  act  as  a  life-guard,  as 
a  protecting  cordon^  to  Mr.  S.'s  people  and  the  interior  set- 
tlements.    Here   were  the  Wetzells,   the   Bradys,   and    the 

complete  proofs  that  cities  arc  not  necessary  to  produce  intensity  of 
Christian  character.  Martin  Luther  used  to  say  that  his  three  masters 
were  Prayer,  Meditation,  and  Temptation.  All  these  were  the  masters, 
in  an  eminent  degree,  of  our  first  ministers  and  their  people  in  Western 
Pennsylvania.  The  piety  in  our  city  churches  may  be  eminent :  the 
advantages  for  cultivating  it  and  for  calling  it  into  habitual  and  health- 
ful action  are  certainly  great.  Christians  in  cities,  by  constant  inter- 
course, too,  may  be  much  benefited.  The  habitual  exercise  of  pious 
sentiments  and  affections,  adorned  by  social  refinement,  and  an  easy, 
graceful  familiarity  ^vith  all  the  conventionalities  of  city  life,  may  throw 
a  peculiar  sweetness  and  charm  around  the  person  and  character; 
especially  in  the  view  of  those  vrho  have  themselves  lived  in  cities,  and 
■whose  refined  taste  would  be  often  scandalized  by  the  unpolished  rough- 
ness of  rural  life.  The  apostolic  piety  of  Mr.  Smith,  and  many  of  his 
people,  constitutes,  at  any  rate,  an  eminent  illustration  of  what  the 
great  Reformer's  three  masters  would  do,  in  training  a  people  for 
heaven,  amidst  the  toils  and  perils  of  frontier  life. 


REV.    JOSEPH    SMITH.  65 

Poe?,  and  other  names  that  figure  in  all  the  narratives  of 
early  western  adventures.  It  is  remarkable,  by  the  way,  that 
some  of  these  f;imous  frontier  Nimrods  signed  the  call  to  Mr. 
Smith — among  others,  the  names  of  Andrew  Poe  and  Adam 
Poe,  each  subscribing  .^1,  are  found.  Thus  God  provided  for 
his  people  a  singular  class  of  protectors,  between  them  and 
the  Indian  settlements. 

A  glorious  work  of  grace  began  and  long  continued  in  that 
vineyard,  which  God  had  so  strangely  fenced  around.  The 
following  extract  from  a  letter  of  Judge  Edgar  to  Mr.  Leiper, 
dated  Oct.  22,  1802,  will  be  read  with  interest  by  many,  and 
may  here  be  appropriately  introduced  : 

**  In  April,  in  the  year  1770,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Smith  visited  this  coun 
try,  and  preached  several  times  in  the  bounds  of  that  which  afterwards 
became  formed  into  the  con^^regations  known  by  the  names  of  Buffalo 
and  Cross  Creek.  In  June,  a  call  was  signed  and  sent  down  to  the 
presbytery  to  him.  That  fall  he  accepted,  and  moved  into  them  in 
December,  1780.  In  this  winter,  1781-2,  the  Lord,  by  his  Spirit,  began 
to  work.  Attention  and  some  serious  thoughtfulness  appeared  among 
the  people,  in  both  congregations.  The  exercises  of  social  prayer  were 
attended  to,  in  some  parts.  The  summer  of  '82  was  very  remarkable. 
The  gale  increased.  Many  were  under  deep  conviction  of  sin  and 
danger  until  harvest,  without  much  appearance  of  relief:  few  of  the 
distressed  had  got  relief;  so  that  some  of  those  that  had  religion  for- 
merly, were  made  to  lament  that  the  children  were  come  to  the  birth, 
but  few  or  none  bringing  forth.  Indeed,  at  this  time  the  number  of 
God's  people  were  very  few  [of  that  description]  that  knew  anytldng 
about  the  travail  pains,  or  agonizing,  that  Christ  might  be  formed  in 
the  souls  of  the  distressed  the  hope  of  glory.  However,  a  gracious  God 
was  pleased  to  discover  his  glory  shining  in  the  gospel,  to  many  of  the 
convinced,  before  the  sacrament  was  administered,  that  fall ;  which  was 
the  first  time  it  was  administered  in  these  congregations.  As  well  as  I 
can  recollect,  about  fifty  in  each  congregation  were  added  to  the  Church 
on  that  occasion,  giving  comfortable  evidence  of  a  work  of  grace  on  their 
hearts.  The  most  of  them  to  this  day  continue  on,  though  some  few 
instances  there  are  of  falling  back.  The  work  rather  increased  for 
three  years.  At  the  sacrament  in  Cross  Creek  in  May  and  June,  1787, 
it  was  perhaps  the  most  remarkable.  On  Monday  evening,  the  power 
of  God  appeared  bowing  many.  The  people  did  not  all  get  away  from 
the  meeting-house  green  until  long  after  night,  and  came  back  on  Tues- 
5 


66  LIFE   AND    TIMES    OF   THE 

day.  This  was  the  most  solemn  day  I  had  ever  seen  at  this  time,  in  the 
house  of  God.  Yet  there  were  not  more  than  two  or  three  instances  of 
crying  out  aloud.  I  cannot  say  there  was  much  decline  appeared  for 
six  or  seven  years  after  the  work  began.  Our  dear  pastor  died  on  the 
19th  of  April,  1792.  God  continued  his  presence  all  that  time,  adding 
/^   numbers  to  the  Church  every  year.'' 

Besides  Mr.  Smith's  abundant  labors  on  the  Sabbath,  and 
his  frequent  preaching  through  the  week,  during  particular 
seasons  of  spiritual  harvest,  he  instituted,  at  his  own  house,  a 
Wednesday  evening  prayer-meeting,  to  which  persons  would 
come  from  a  distance  of  from  three  to  fifteen  miles.  These 
meetings  Vfould  sometimes  extend  to  a  late  hour  in  the  night. 
But  no  weariness  nor  drowsiness  seemed  to  attend  them. 
Many,  now  in  heaven,  will,  perhaps,  never  forget  those 
prayer-meetings.  He  was  not  a  man  of  robust  health.  In 
person  he  was  tall  and  slender,  of  fair  complexion,  of  a  slight 
look  askance,  of  one  eye.  It  will  be  remembered  that  this 
was  a  peculiarity  of  Whitefield,  and  that  gave  him  increased 
power  over  his  audience,  as  many  thought  he  was  looking 
directly  at  them.  "Whether  this  was  the  case  with  Mr.  S., 
we  have  not  understood.  It  is  abundantly  testified,  however, 
that  there  was  a  piercing  brilliancy  about  his  eyes,  when  he 
became  animated,  that  was  peculiarly  impressive.  His  dress 
was  always  neat  and  becoming.  His  voice  was  remarkable 
alike  for  the  terrific  and  the  patJietie,  and,  as  Dr.  Kirkland 
said  of  the  celebrated  Fisher  Ames,  "  now  like  the  thunder, 
and  now  like  the  music  of  heaven."  When  his  theme  was 
the  terrors  of  the  law,  or  the  horrors  of  hell,  or  the  glories  of 
heaven,  he  appeared  to  many  of  his  .people  as  though  he  had 
just  come  from  the  spirit-land.  "I  never  heard  a  man," 
said  the  Rev.  Samuel  Porter,  "  who  could  so  completely  unbar 
the  gates  of  hell,  and  make  me  look  so  far  down  into  the  dark 
bottomless  abyss,  or,  like  him,  could  so  throw  open  the  gates 
of  heaven,  and  let  me  glance  at  the  insufferable  brightness  of 
the  great  White  Throne."  His  favorite  subjects  were  the 
importance  and  necessity  of  regeneration,  and  the  immediate 


REV.  JOSErii  SMiTn.  67 

necessity  of  faitli  in  Jesus  Christ.  His  ordinary  manner  of 
speaking  had  nothing  of  rhapsody  in  it.  It  ^vas  rather  tliat 
of  animated  conversation.  Indeed,  his  sermons  ^svere  gene- 
rally written  out  ^vith  some  degree  of  fuhiess.  Many  of  the 
skeletons,  '^Ndiich  he  used  on  ordinary  occasions,  are  so  well 
drawn  out,  that,  with  but  little  addition,  they  would  be  fit  for 
the  press.  lie  would  often  rise  to  an  almost  supernatural  and 
unearthly  grandeur,  completely  extinguishing  in  his  hearers 
all  consciousness  of  time  and  place,  and  verifying  Cicero's 
strange  description  of  the  highest  kind  of  eloquence  — '' ali- 
quid  immensum,  infinitum  que."  John  Foster's  account  of  the  - 
peculiar  power  of  fascination  which  the  celebrated  Robert 
Hall  could  sometimes  exert  over  his  audience,  has  often  remind- 
ed us  of  what  our  aged  fathers  have  told  us  of  Mr.  Smith. 

When  the  above  was  written,  six  months  ago,  for  the  Pres- 
byterian Magazine,  we  felt  apprehensive  that  it  would  be 
deemed  an  exaggerated  and  extravagant  account  of  Mr.  S. 
as  a  preacher.  Two  persons  of-  highly  cultivated  minds,  who 
had  often  heard  him,  have  recently  testified  to  us,  after  read- 
ing the  foregoing  remarks,  that  they  altogether  fall  short  of 
giving  any  conception  of  the  peculiar  power  of  Mr.  Smith's 
eloquence.  "  It  was  altogether  diiferent,"  said  one  of  them,  A 
"from  Dr.  M'Millan's  manner,  ^e  was  sometimes  awfully  1 
solemn  and  impressive.  But  Mr.  Smith's  manner  had  a 
strange  kind  of  power  about-it,  totally  indescribable."  "Nei- 
ther you  nor  any  man  on  earth  that  never  heard  him,"  said 
the  Rev.  C.  Dodd  to  us,  "  can  form  any  idea  of  his  wonderful 
power."  "Permit  me  to  say,"  says  another  aged  servant  of 
God,  "I  have  formed  an  estimate  of  him  higher  than  poste- 
rity, even  his  descendants,  can  form  of  him.  Even  if  his 
sermons  had  been  correctly  written  as  they  fell  from  his  lips, 
they  could  not  now  be  appreciated.  And  why  ?  Because 
neither  the  stenographer  nor  the  printer  has  any  types 
by  which  to  express  his  tones,  his  emphasis,  his  holy  unc- 
tion, the  holy  vitality  of  his  soul.  Who  can  now  rightly 
appreciate  the  characters  of  Whitefield  and  the  Tenants,  by 


68  LIFE   AND   TIMES    OF   THE 

i:   tlieir  simple  sermons,  which   have  been  printed?     Printers 
j  ^  have  no  types  for  souls.     When  Mr.  Smith  commenced  his 
'\/   pulpit  exercises,  if  his  flight  was  upwardsj  he  was  immediately 
out  of  the  sight  of  the  growling  critic,  who  became  like  the 
huntsman's   dog,  when   he   has    lost    the  track !     Or  when, 
arrayed  with  divine  and   awful  majesty,  he  uncovered   the 
bottomless  and  wide-extending  pit  of  wo,  whose  billows  of  fire 
are  ever  lashed  into  fury  by  the  almighty  breath  of  an  in- 
censed, slighted  Saviour,  the  sinner  lost  his   coat  of  mail, 
retreated  in  terror,  or  fell  prostrate,  imploring  for  mercy. 
I  Mr.  Smith's  mind  was  early  disciplined  by  classical  studies 
j  and  collegiate  drillings,  so  that,  when  his  ardent  soul  became 
j  fledged  with  heaven's  plumage,  he  was  prepared  to  soar,  with- 
?  out  a  seeming  effort  or  premeditated  measurements,  above  the 
fliorht  of  common  minds.     He  never  elaborated  his  sermons 

o 

by  logical,  syllogistic  formulas,  or  mere  theological  didactics. 
I  Every  truth  he  presented  had  the  perspicuity  and  force  of  an 
intuitive  axiom,  and  conclusions  were  drawn  by  every  listener ; 
so  that  the  speaker  would  have  lost  time,  and  chilled  the 
kindling  flame,  by  the  introduction  of  a  "therefore,"  or  a 
"  quod  erat  demonstrandum."  The  traveller,  in  a  tornado, 
is  not  occupied  with  the  philosophy  of  pneumatics,  nor  the 
floundering  mariner  with  the  philosophy  of  the  tides.  Such 
was  the  condition  of  Christless  sinners  under  the  preaching 
of  Mr.  Smith.  No  doubt  he  was  a  classical  scholar ;  but  the 
cold  ratiocinations  of  logic — the  crucibles  of  the  chemist — the 
black-board  and  the  chalk,  were  left  far  behind.  His  baptised 
soul  had  been  led  to  that  fountain  whence  all  science  flows. 
Nothing  sho|t  of  imperious  necessity,  and  that  for  Christ's 
sake,  could  ever  have  nailed  him  to  a  common-school  bench, 
or  chained  him  to  the  presidential  chair  of  a  college." 
"  When  he  was  taken  up  from  us,  much  of  his  spirit  fell  upon 
a  Hughes,  a  Marquis,  a  Patterson,  a  M'Gready,  a  Price,  &c. 
But  Smith  was  the  giant ;  and  no  one  was  found  capable  of 
/         putting  on  and  wielding  his  whole  armor."* 

*  Rev.  Dr.  Lindlej. 


REV.    JOSEPH    SMITH.  GO 

Old  Col.  R.  of  Virginia,  used  to  say  that  he  liked  that 
preacher  best,  "who  could  make  him  wish  that  he  could  creep 
into  an  augur  hole  before  the  preacher  was  done. 

The  celebrated  Robert  Morris,  the  great  American  finan- 
cier, who  saved  the  credit  of  his  country,  and  ruined  his  own, 
once  told  Dr.  Rush  that  '*  he  liked  that  kind  of  preaching 
that  drives  a  man  into  a  corner  of  his  pew,  and  makes  him 
think  the  devil  is  after  him."  lie  would  have  been  delighted 
with  Mr.  Smith.     See  Hazard's  Register,  vol.  xii.,  p.  249. 

If  it  might  be  said  that  preaching  w^as  Mr.  Smith's  great 
forte,  it  is  questionable  whether  his  usefulness  out  of  the  pulpit 
was  not  even  greater.  He  was  a  man  of  prayer,  and  often 
spent  special  seasons  in  that  exercise.  It  was  not  uncommon 
for  him  to  rise  in  the  night  and  engage  in  intercessory  prayer 
for  his  people,  and  especially  the  youth  of  his  congregation, 
and  his  own  children.  For  this  purpose,  he  kept  a  cloak  at 
the  foot  of  his  bed,  during  cold  weather,  in  readiness  to  throw 
around  him  when  he  wished  to  get  on  his  knees.  His  wife 
and  himself  would  often  observe  special  fast  days,  for  the  con- 
version of  their  children.  And  they  .were  almost  all  the 
subjects  of  Divine  grace,  while  quite  young.  One  of  them, 
and  it  was  the  one  born  the  day  after  the  battle  of  Brandy- 
wine,  was  received  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Church  at  ten 
years  of  age.  A  large  session,  of  unusual  Christian  expe- 
rience and  discrimination,  were  unanimous  in  their  vote,  to 
receive  her.  He  was  faithful  in  catechising  and  conversing 
with  his  children.  Sabbath  evenings  were  generally  spent  in 
this  way.  Gathering  them  round  the  fireside  after  the  usual 
recitation  of  the  Shorter  Catechism,  he  would  talk  most 
earnestly  and  affectionately  to  them  about  the  interests  of 
their  souls,  and  w^ould  sometimes  close  with  solemn  warnings, 
telling  them  that  "  he  would  take  the  stones  of  the  chimney 
to  witness  against  them,"  &c.  Yet  there  was  nothing  severe 
or  morose  in  his  character.  On  the  contrary,  it  was  one  of 
his  peculiar  excellencies,  that  he  could  win  the  friendship  and 


70  LIFE   AND   TIMES    OF   THE 

affection  not  only  of  his  own  children,  but  of  all  the  children 
and  youth  of  his  church.  Some  of  them  have  testified  that 
they  were  unconscious  of  the  flight  of  time  when  Mr.  Smith 
was  among  them.  There  was  a  peculiar  charm  about  his 
cheerfulness  and  his  talent  for  social  intercourse  with  the 
young.  He  was  seldom  depressed  or  in  low  spirits.  But  this 
steady  cheerfulness  seemed  to  be  fed  by  communion  with  God, 
and  the  hope  of  heaven.  Praise  generally  employed  his  lips, 
when  he  first  opened  his  eyes  in  the  morning.  He  was  fond 
of  singing,  and  he  loved  to  sing  a  verse  or  two  before  he  rose. 
One  of  these  verses  was, 

"  Ye  little  birds  of  heaven, 
On  every  bough  that  sing, 
Ye  shame  me  with  your  early  notes, 
While  on  your  morning  wing." 

Another  was 

"Not  many  suns  shall  set, 
Not  many  mornings  rise, 
Till  heaven  unfold  its  glories  all, 
To  my  admiring  eyes." 

Yet  though  a  cheerful,  happy  man,  he  had  often  his  trials  and 
sorrows.  Besides  those  common  to  the  lot  of  humanity,  he 
and  his  family,  in  the  earlier  years  of  their  western  history, 
were  sorely  tried  by  frequent  alarms  about  the  Indians.  At 
certain  periods,  he,  in  common  with  his  people,  when  com- 
mitting themselves  and  their  little  ones  at  night,  to  the  care 
of  the  Shepherd  of  Israel,  knew  not  but  that  before  the 
morning's  dawn,  their  cabin-houses  might  be  wrapped  in 
flames,  and  themselves  massacred,  or  led  off*  into  captivity. 
On  one  occasion  he  had  to  bring  a  communion  service,  at 
King's  Creek,  to  an  abrupt  close  on  the  announcement  of  the 
approach  of  a  body  of  Indians  from  the  mouth  of  Mill  Creek, 
to  mount  his  horse,  and  with  many  of  his  people,  both  men 
and  women,  to  ride  in  haste,  near  twenty  miles.  Pecuniary 
embarrassments,  which,  no  doubt,  in  a  great  measure  proceeded 
from  the  perilous  condition,  or  entire  suspension  of  trade  and 


REV.    JOSEPH    SMITH.  71 

commerce,  produced  by  these  "  forays"  of  the  savages,  pressed 
sorely  upon  Mr.  Smith  and  his  people.  Here  we  cannot  for- 
bear to  introduce  a  ver}^  singular  account  of  a  providential 
interposition  for  the  relief  of  Mr.  Smith,  at  a  very  alarming 
crisis  in  his  affairs,  when  his  faith  must  have  been  greatly 
tried.  In  justice  to  the  Rev.  James  W.  Miller,  to  whom  the 
public  was  indebted  many  years  ago,  for  this  statement,  we 
will  give  the  narrative  in  his  own  language. 

"  Our  story  will  carry  the  reader  back  *  to  the  period '  when  all  north 
of  the  Ohio  River  was  an  almost  unbroken  wilderness  —  the  mysterious 
red  man's  home.  On  the  other  side,  a  bold  and  hardy  band  from  be- 
yond the  mountains  had  built  their  log  cabins,  and  were  trying  to  subdue 
the  wilderness.  To  them  every  hour  was  full  of  peril.  The  Indians 
would  often  cross  the  river,  steal  their  children  and  horses,  and  kill  and 
scalp  any  victim  who  came  in  their  way.  They  worked  in  the  field  with 
weapons  at  their  side,  and  on  a  Sabbath  met  in  a  grove  or  rude  log 
church,  to  hear  the  word  of  God,  with  their  rifles  in  their  hands.  To 
preach  to  these  settlers,  Mr.  Joseph  Smith,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  had 
left  his  parental  home  east  of  the  mountains.  lie,  it  was  said,  was  the 
second  minister  who  had  crossed  the  Monongahela  River.  He  settled 
in  Washington  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  became  the  pastor  of  the 
Cross  Creek  and  Upper  Bufi'alo  congregations,  dividing  his  time  between 
them.  He  found  them  a  willing  and  united  people,  but  still  unable  to 
pay  him  a  salary  which  would  support  his  family.  He,  in  common  with 
all  the  early  ministers,  must  cultivate  a  farm.  He  purchased  one  on 
credit,  promising  to  pay  for  it  with  the  salary  pledged  to  him  by  his 
people.  Years  passed  away.  The  pastor  was  unpaid.  Little  or  no 
money  was  in  circulation.  Wheat  was  abundant,  but  there  was  no 
market.  It  could  not  be  sold  for  more  than  twelve  and  a  half  cents  in 
cash.  Even  their  salt  had  to  be  brought  across  the  mountains  on  pack- 
horses,  was  worth  eight  dollars  per  bushel,  and  twenty-one  bushels  of 
wheat  had  often  to  be  given  for  one  of  salt.  The  time  came  when  the 
last  payment  must  be  made,  and  Mr.  Smith  was  told  he  must  pay  or 
leave  his  fiirm.  Three  years'  salary  was  now  due  from  his  people.  For 
the  want  of  this,  his  land,  his  improvements  upon  it,  and  his  hopes  of 
remaining  among  a  beloved  people,  must  be  abandoned.  The  people 
were  called  together,  and  the  case  laid  before  them ;  they  were  greatly 
moved  ;  counsel  from  on  high  was  sought ;  plan  after  plan  was  proposed 
and  abandoned  ;  the  congregations  were  unable  to  pay  a  tithe  of  their 
debts,  and  no  money  could  be  borrowed.     In  despair,  they  adjourned 


iZ  LIFE   AXD    TIMES    OF   THE 

to  meet  again  the  following  week.  In  the  mean  time,  it  was  ascertained 
that  a  Mr.  Moore,  who  owned  the  only  mill  in  the  county,  would  grind 
for  them  wheat  on  reasonable  terms.  At  the  next  meeting  it  was  re- 
solved to  carry  their  wheat  to  Mr.  Moore's  mill :  some  gave  fifty  bushels, 
some  more.  This  was  carried  from  fifteen  to  twenty-six  miles,  on 
horses,  to  mill.  In  a  month  word  came  that  the  flour  was  ready  to  go 
to  market.  Again  the  people  were  called  together.  After  an  earnest 
prayer,  the  question  was  asked,  '  "Who  will  run  the  flour  to  New  Or- 
leans V  This  was  a  startling  question.  The  work  was  perilous  in  the 
extreme  :  months  must  pass  before  the  adventurer  could  hope  to  return, 
even  though  his  journey  should  be  fortunate ;  nearly  all  the  way  was  a 
wilderness,  and  gloomy  tales  had  been  told  of  the  treacherous  Indian. 
More  than  one  boat's  crew  had  gone  on  that  journey  and  came  back  no 
more.  *  Who,  then,  would  endure  the  toil  and  brave  the  danger?'  None 
volunteered :  the  young  shrunk  back,  and  the  middle-aged  had  their 
excuse.  The  scheme  at  last  seemed  likely  to  fail.  At  length  a  hoary- 
headed  man,  an  elder  in  the  church,  sixty-four  years  of  age,  arose,  and, 
to  the  astonishment  of  the  assembly,  said,  '  Here  am  I — send  me.'  The 
deepest  feeling  at  once  pervaded  the  whole  assembly.  To  see  their  vene- 
rated old  elder  thus  devote  himself  for  their  good  melted  them  all  to 
tears.  They  gathered  around  FafJier  Smiley  to  learn  that  his  resolution 
was  indeed  taken ;  that,  rather  than  lose  their  pastor,  he  would  brave 
danger,  toil,  and  even  death.  After  some  delay  and  trouble,  two  young 
men  were  induced,  by  hope  of  a  large  reward,  to  go  as  his  assistants. 
A  da}-  was  appointed  for  starting.  The  young  and  old,  from  far  and 
near,  from  love  to  Father  Smiley,  and  their  deep  interest  in  the  object 
of  his  mission,  gathered  together,  and,  with  their  pastor  at  their  head, 
came  down  from  the  church,  fifteen  miles  away,  to  the  bank  of  the  i:iver, 
to  bid  the  old  man  farewell.  Then  a  prayer  was  offered  up  by  their 
pastor,  a  parting  hymn  was  sung.  'There,'  said  the  old  Scotchman, 
*  untie  the  cable,  and  let  us  see  what  the  Lord  will  do  for  us.'  This 
was  done,  and  the  boat  floated  slowly  away.  More  than  nine  months 
passed,  and  no  word  came  back  from  Father  Smiley.  Many  a  prayer 
had  been  breathed  for  him,  but  what  was  his  fate  was  unknown.  Ano- 
ther Sabbath  came  ;  the  people  came  together  for  worship,  and  there, 
on  his  rude  bench  before  the  preacher,  composed  and  devout,  sat  Father 
Smiley.  After  the  services,  the  people  were  requested  to  meet  early  in 
the  week  to  hear  the  report.  All  came  again.  After  thanks  had  been 
returned  to  God  for  his  safe  return.  Father  Smiley  rose  and  told  his 
story  ;  that  the  Lord  had  prospered  his  mission,  that  he  had  sold  his 
flour  for  twenty-seven  dollars  a  barrel,  and  then  got  safely  back.  He 
then  drew  a  large  purse,  and  poured  upon  the  table  a  larger  pile  of 
gold  than  most  of  the  spectators  had  ever  seen  before.    The  young  men 


REV.    JOSEPU    SMITH.  73 

"wcro  paid,  each  a  hundred  dollars.  Father  Smiley  was  asked  his 
charges.  lie  meekly  replied  that  he  thought  he  pught  to  have  the 
same  as  one  of  the  young  men,  though  he  had  not  done  quite  as  much 
work.  It  was  immediately  proposed  to  pay  him  three  hundred  dollars. 
This  he  refused  to  receive  till  the  pastor  was  paid.  Upon  counting  the 
money,  it  was  found  there  was  enough  to  pay  what  was  due  Mr.  Smith, 
to  advance  his  salary  for  the  year  to  come,  to  reward  Father  Smiley  with 
three  hundred  dollars,  and  then  have  a  large  dividend  for  each  contri- 
butor. Thus  their  debts  were  paid,  their  pastor  relieved ;  and,  while 
life  lasted,  he  broke  for  them  the  bread  of  life.  The  bones  of  both 
pastor  and  elder,  I  believe,  have  long  reposed  in  the  same  churchyard ; 
but  a  grateful  posterity  still  tells  this  pleasing  story  of  the  past."*  / 

*  Mr.  William  Smiley  was  an  elder  in  Upper  Buffalo  Church  —  was  a 
Scotchman,  of  a  strong  mind,  very  shrewd,  and  eminently  pious.  Ilis  man-  " 
ners  were  somewhat  blunt ;  and  he  had  an  integrity  and  honesty  about  him 
which  would  not  allow  him  to  connive  at  anything  which  he  thought  to 
be  wrong.  lie  disliked  everything  which  in  any  way  set  aside  the  claims 
of  religion,  and  did  not  give  it  its  proper  place  in  the  business  of  life 
or  the  enjoyment  of  the  social  circle.  "While  attending  the  General 
Assembly  at  Carlisle,  he  was  invited  to  spend  a  social  evening  at  the 

house  of  General ,  who  was  also  an  elder  and  a  pious  man.    The 

next  day  he  was  asked  by  an  acquaintance,  who  met  him,  how  he  en- 
joyed himself.  "Not  very  well,"  he  replied,  that  "they  gave  him 
cursed  tea."  —  "Cursed  tea!"  said  his  friend;  "how  was  that?"  — 
"Why,"  said  he,  "it  was  not  blessed  —  of  course  it  must  have  been 
cursed,  that  is  all."  He  referred  to  the  fact  that  the  tea  had  been 
handed  round  without  a  blessing  having  been  asked.  Such  was  his 
judgment  of  the  fashionable  mode  of  tea-drinking.     During  the  same 

Assembly,  the  Rev.  Mr. ,  a  vain  man,  of  very  moderate  abilities, 

preached  from  I.  Tim.,  i.  15,  "This  is  a  faithful  saying,  &c."     Several 
other  ministers  had  preached  on  the  preceding  days.     The  next  day  ^ 
after  he  had  preached  he  was  walking  with  Father  Smiley,  and  took 

occasion  to  ask  him  how  he  liked  the  sermon  of  Mr. ,  and  the 

sermon  of  Mr.* ,  who  had  preached  on  the  previous  days.     Mr. 

Smiley  put  him  off  with  a  general  answer.  "  Well,  then,  how  did  you 
like  my  sermon  ?"  asked  his  interrogator.  —  "  Why,"  said  he,  "  I  did 
not  like  it  at  all."  —  "  Why  not  ?"  said  the  preacher.  —  "  Because,"  re- 
joined Smiley,  "  you  said  nothing  about  closing  with  Christ." — "  That," 
said  the  preacher,  "  was  not  in  the  text." — "  It  was  as  much  in  the  text 
as  what  you  did  say,"  replied  Smiley.  This  put  an  end  to  the  colloquy,  .'t*"^ 
and  it  is  not  likely  that  the  reverend  gentleman  would  soon  again  seek 
to  elicit  a  compliment  from  the  honest  Scotchman.     Father  Patterson 


74  LIFE   AND    TIMES    OF   THE 

Mr.  Miller  states  in  his  outset,  that  he  received  this  account 
from  Mr.  Grimes,  an  elder  of  Buffalo  ;  and  we  will  add,  that 
we  have  taken  considerable  pains  to  ascertain,  from  various 
other  sources,  that  it  is  all  substantially  correct.  Such  were 
the  dealings  of  God  with  His  servant,  and  well  might  he,  ever 
after  this,  feel  assured  that  "the  Lord  will  provide." 

Mr.  Smith  was  a  laborious  and  faithful  pastor.  In  visiting 
and  catechising  his  people,  and  in  his  efforts  to  seek  out  those 
who  were  neglecting  the  ordinances  of  religion,  he  was  most 
diligent.  The  tide  of  emigration,  especially  from  Virginia, 
poured  around  him  considerable  numbers  of  a  profane.  Sab- 
bath-breaking class.  He  was  skilful  in  devising  successful 
methods  of  access  to  every  sort  of  persons,  even  to  some  that 
but  few  would  have  thought  it  worth  while  to  approach.  In 
this  respect,  he  knew  no  man  after  the  flesh,  and  would  at 
once  "beard  the  lion  in  his  den."  He  may  have  sometimes 
failed,  but  no  such  instance  of  failure  is  now  remembered. 
When  once  at  the  house  of  one  of  his  elders  over  night,  and 
rising  early  in  the  morning,  he  observed  a  house  some  half 
mile  distant,  and  persons  walking  back  and  forth,  near  it.  He 
inquired  of  his  elder  who  lived  there?  He  was  told  that  it 
was  a  man  who  had  come  there  some  months  before.  Mr. 
Smith  asked  if  he  came  to  church.  The  elder  said  that  he 
did  not,  but  that  his  wife  and  daughters  came  sometimes.  Mr. 
Smith  said  he  would  go  and  see  them,  and  telling  the  elder 
not  to  wait  breakfast  for  him,  he  set  off  immediately.  On 
arriving  at  the  house,  he  found  the  man  and  his  family  at 
home.  He  introduced  himself  as  the  minister  who  preached 
at  Buffalo,  and  as  such  he  called  to  see  him.  The  man  said 
he  knew  him,  although  he  had  not  been  to  church ;  but  his 
wife  and  children  sometimes  went.  Mr.  Smith  called  the 
family  together,  and  talked  with  them  on  the  subject  of  re- 
ligion.    After  some  time  he  asked  the  man  if  he  had  family 

was  walking  near  to  them  at  the  time,  and  overheard  this  conversation, 
very  much  to  his  gratification. 


REV.    JOSEPH    SMITH.  75 

"worsliip  that  morning.  He  replied  lie  had  not.  "  I  suppose," 
said  Mr.  Smith,  "you  pray  in  your  family,  of  course."  lie 
admitted  that  he  did  not.  "Then,"  said  Mr.  Smith,  "you 
ought  to  do  it,  and  the  sooner  you  begin,  the  better.  You 
must  begin  immediately."  lie  then  asked  for  a  Bible,  and 
read  and  remarked  upon  a  suitable  passage,  and  then  asked 
the  man  to  pray ;  and  without  giving  him  time  to  express  his 
assent  or  dissent,  kneeled  down  forthwith.  A  long  silence 
ensued ;  Mr.  Smith  then  turned  to  the  man,  and  urged  him 
to  pray.  He  still  remained  silent.  Again  urged  by  his  im- 
portunate visitor,  to  pray,  under  this  process,  his  mind  deeply 
agitated,  he  at  length  cried  out  in  agony,  "  0  Lord,  tench  me 
to  pray,  for  I  know  not  how  to  pray."  "  That  will  do,"  said 
Mr.  Smith,  as  he  rose  from  his  knees,  "  you  have  made  a  good 
beginning,  and  I  trust  you  will  soon  be  able  to  extend  your 
petitions."  The  result  was  such  as  Mr.  Smith  predicted,  for 
the  tradition  is,  that  from  this  time  forth  he  became  a  man 
of  prayer,  and  he  and  his  family  became  consistent  and  active 
members  of  the  Church.* 

He  was  anxious  from  the  first,  after  he  settled  in  the  West, 
to  look  out  for,  and  aid  in  preparing  some  young  men  to 
preach  the  gospel. f     He  is  believed  to  have  been  the  first 

*  Dr.  Lindley  says,  in  one  of  his  letters,  "  The  ruling  passion  of  his 
•warfare  was  innocent  contrivances  to  catch  flanking  parties  and  stroll- 
ing individuals  in  the  gospel-net.  He  was  an  eagle-eyed  spy  and  scouter 
upon  the  trails  of  the  enemy,  and  was  very  successful  in  the  capture  of 
individuals,  as  well  as  taking  them  in  squadrons.  Though  he  made  no 
pretensions  to  brute  force,  he  feared  none  of  the  Devil's  emissaries,  on 
this  side  of  Hell." 

t  We  give  another  passage  from  Doddridge's  "  Notes."  "  From  the 
outset,  they  prudently  resolved  to  create  a  ministry  in  the  country,  and 
accordingly  established  little  grammar  schools  at  their  own  houses,  or 
in  their  immediate  neighborhoods.  The  course  of  education  which  they 
gave  their  pupils  was  indeed  not  extensive ;  but  the  piety  of  those  who 
entered  into  the  ministry  more  than  made  up  the  deficiency.  They 
formed  societies,  most  of  which  are  now  large  and  respectable,  and  in 
T)oint  of  education,  tlioir  ministry  has  much  improved.  About  the  year 
1792,  an  academy  was  established  at  Canonsburgh,  in  Washington 


76  LIFE    AND    TIMES    OF   THE 

who  moved  in  this  matter.  The  Rev.  Thaddeus  Dodd  had,  as 
early  as  1783  or  '4,  moved  into  the  village  of  Washington, 
and  taught  the  town  school  or  academy,  in  the  old  Court- 
House,  for  about  a  year,  and  returned  to  Ten  Mile,  where  he 
had  previously  resided.  During  that  time,  two  or  three  young 
men,  having  the  ministry  in  view,  received  instruction  from 
Mr.  Dodd,  among  whom  were  James  Hughes  and  John  Hanna. 
But  the  first  school  that  was  opened  with  a  special  view  to  the 
training  of  young  men  for  the  sacred  office,  is  believed  to  have 
been  begun  by  Mr.  Smith,  at  Upper  Buffalo,  as  early,  at  least, 
as  1785.  The  subject  had  pressed  heavily  on  his  mind  for 
some  time  before.  There  was  one  difficulty  in  his  way.  He 
had  no  suitable  house.  But  he  had  recently  erected  a  house 
adjoining  his  dwelling-house,  to  serve  as  a  kitchen  and  out- 
house. If  his  wife  would  be  willing  to  surrender  that  for  a 
while,  and  fall  back  on  their  former  hampered  domestic  sys- 
tem, it  could  be  done.  He  stated  the  case  to  her.  She  cor- 
dially acquiesced  in  the  plan,  and  warmly  seconded  his  views. 
Almost  immediately  the  first  Latin  school  was  begun.  Messrs. 
M'Gready,  Porter,  and  Patterson,  began  their  course.  Soon 
after,  James  Hughes,  and  Brice,  who  had  already  been  with  Mr. 

County,  in  the  western  part  of  Pennsylvania,  which  was  afterwards  in- 
corporated under  the  name  of  Jefferson  College.  The  means  possessed 
by  the  Society,  [the  Presbyterian  Church,  doubtless,  he  means,]  for  the 
undertaking,  were  indeed  but  small ;  but  they  not  only  erected  a  tolera- 
ble edifice  for  the  academy,  but  collected  a  fund  for  the  education  of 
such  pious  young  men  as  -were  desirous  of  entering  into  the  ministry, 
but  were  unable  to  defray  the  expenses  of  their  education.  This  insti- 
tution has  been  remarkably  successful  in  its  operations.  It  has  pro- 
duced a  large  number  of  good  scholars,  in  all  the  literary  professions, 
and  added  immensely  to  the  science  of  the  country.  Next  to  this,  Wash- 
ington College,  situated  in  the  county  town  of  the  county  of  that  name, 
has  been  the  means  of  diffusing  much  of  the  light  of  science  through 
the  Western  country.  Too  much  pains  cannot  be  bestowed  on  those 
good  men  who  opened  these  fruitful  sources  of  instruction  for  our  infant 
country,  at  so  early  a  period  of  its  settlement.  They  have  immensely 
improved  the  departments  of  theology,  law,  medicine,  and  legislation  in 
the  western  regions." 


REV.    JOSEPH    SMITH.  77 

DoJil,  joined  them.  This  school  for  the  languages  and  sciences 
was  continued  some  time,  and  then,  by  some  mutual  arrange- 
ment, was  transferred  and  rc-organized,  near  Canonsl^irgh, 
under  the  care  of  Dr.  M'Millan.  It  was  therefore  the  real 
nucleus,  the  larva  out  of  which  grew  eventually,  first,  the 
Canonsburgh  Academy,  and  then  Jeiferson  College.  This 
view  of  the  case  will,  perhaps,  be  called  in  question.  It  has 
been  commonly  supposed  that  such  a  school  was  long  before 
in  operation,  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  M'Millan,  and  that 
the  school  at  Chartiers,  for  preparing  young  men  for  the  minis- 
try, did  not  succeed  that  of  Mr.  Smith,  or  in  any  sense  was 
the  same  school,  transferred  from  Buffalo  to  Chartiers.  ^Ye 
will  endeavor  to  state  fairly  a  feW  things  that  may  serve  to 
guide  us  to  a  right  decision  on  this  point. 

In  the  first  place,  the  records  of  the  Presbytery  of  Red- 
stone show  that  there  were  no  licentiates  under  their  care, 
who  had  received  their  previous  scholastic  or  theological  train- 
ing from  Dr.  M'Millan,  till  long  after  the  above  period,  and  that 
all  the  first  ministers  had  received  their  instruction,  either 
from  Mr.  Dodd  or  Mr.  Smith.  The  Redstone  Presbytery  was 
the  only  Presbytery  then  west  of  the  mountains.  Now  it  is 
strange,  if,  indeed,  there  was  such  a  school  at  Dr.  McMillan's, 
where  young  men  were  instructed  in  the  languages  and  sciences, 
before  or  for  some  years  immediately  after,  or  during  1785, 
•that  not  one  of  them  can  now  be  found,  and  that  there  is  no 
mention  of  such  in  the  minutes  of  the  Presbytery.  The  same 
thing  will  appear  upon  examining  the  Appendix  (containing 
brief  biographical  notices  of  all  the  first  ministers  in  Western 
Pennsylvania)  affixed  to  Dr.  Elliott's  life  of  Macurdy. 
4  In  the  second  place,  we  would  mention  the  express  testi- 
mony of  Mrs.  Irwin,  an  aged,  but  very  intelligent  lady,  now 
residing  near  Marysville,  Ohio,  who  stated  to  us,  in  substance, 
as  follows  (and  her  pastor,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Smith,  testifies  that 
it  has  been  her  unvaried  statement  for  many  years,  and  has 
no  doubt  of  her  memory  being  perfectly  good  in  this  case,) 
"  that  she  was  between  twelve  and  fifteen  years  of  age,  living 


78  LIFE   AND   TIMES   OF   THE 

near  Mr.  Smith's,  one  of  his  spiritual  chiklren,  took  a  great 
interest,  then,  in  what  Mr.  Smith  did  in  this  matter,  and  all 
her  l#fe  after,  familiarly  remembered  the  following  facts : 
that  in  1785,  Mr.  Smith,  of  Buffalo  and  Cross  Creek  con- 
gregations, opened  a  school  for  assisting  and  training  young 
men  for  the  gospel  ministry;  that  Mr.  M'Gready,  Mr.  Brice, 
Mr.  Porter,  and  Mr.  Patterson,  began  their  course  then  with 
him,  Mr.  James  Hughes  soon  after  joining  them ;  that  Mr. 
M^Gready  came  from  Dr.  M'Millan's,  with  whom  he  had 
been  living,  not  as  a  student,  but  as  a  laborer  on  his  farm : 
that  five  congregations,  through  the  ladies,  united  in  furnish- 
ing these  students  (with  the  exception  of  Mr.  M^Gready)  with 
clothing,  viz.,  Buffalo,  Cross  Creek,  Chartiers,  Bethel,  and 
Ten-Mile;  that  they  made  up  summer  and  winter  clothing  for 
several  of  these  young  men  (coloring  linen  for  summer  wear 
in  a  dye  made  of  new-mown  hay ! )  that  this  was  the  first 
movement  made  for  preparing  young  men  for  the  ministry ; 
that  there  was  no  such  school,  at  this  time,  at  Chartiers,  nor 
until  after  the  one  at  Buffalo  was  discontinued;  that  Mrs. 
M'Millan  and  the  Chartiers  ladies  took  their  share  in  this 
effort  to  sustain  this  school  at  Buffalo,  Mr.  M'Gready  coming 
from  Dr.  M'Millan's  to  the  school."  This  is  very  explicit 
testimony ;  and  to  every  word  of  it  Mrs.  Irwin  testified,  in 
substance,  to  the  writer. 

In  the  third  place,  we  give  the  following  statement,  fur- 
nished to  us  by  Dr.  Cephas  Dodd,  the  venerable  pastor  of 
Amity,  Washington  county,  and  son  of  Rev.  Thaddeus  Dodd. 
He  was  sufficiently  old,  at  the  time,  to  remember  distinctly 
the  facts  which  he  states.  "  There  was  an  agreement  made 
between  Mr.  Smith  and  Mr.  Dodd,  by  which  they  engaged^ 
alternately,  to  superintend  the  education  of  certain  young 
men,  who  had  the  ministry  in  view.  Mr.  Dodd  had  a  large 
cabin  erected  near  his  dwelling,  which  was  occupied  as  a 
school-room,  and  they  boarded  in  his  family.  Of  these,  were 
Messrs.  James  Hughes,  John  Brice,  Robert  Marshall,  and 
John  Hanna,  and  afterwards  David  Smith,  son  of  Mr.  Smith, 


REV.    JOSEPH    SMITH.  79 

all  of  -^-hom  afterwards  entered  the  ministry.  They  vrere 
Avith  'Mv.  Dodd  from  about  1783  to  1786,  and'  pursued  their 
studies  for  the  remainder  of  the  time  Avith  Mr.  Smith.  It  is 
thought  that  Dr.  M'Millan  was  also  a  party  to  the  above 
arrangement,  but  for  some  cause  the  aforesaid  young  men 
were  never  under  his  tuition.  There  were  others,  as  Messrs. 
Patterson,  M'Gready,  and  Porter,  who  were  instructed  solely 
by  Mr.  Smith."  There  may  seem  some  slight  discrepancy 
between  the  view  presented  by  Dr.  Dodd,  and  some  of  the 
foregoing  testimony;  but  the  most  essential  difficulty  is  easily 
removed  by  remembering  that  Mr.  Dodd's  school  was,  all 
along,  an  English  school^  and  instruction  in  the  languages 
merely  an  appendage  to  it,  for  the  accommodation  of  two  or 
three  young  men ;  whereas  Mr.  Smith's  school  was  a  real 
Latin  school,  got  up  especially  for  training  young  men  for  the 
ministry,  and  concentrating  the  aid  and  patronage  of  all  the 
churches,  Dr.  M'Millan's  church  included.* 

We  may,  in  the  last  place,  refer  to  an  extract  from  a  letter 
of  Dr.  M'Millan  to  Dr.  Carnahan,  dated  March  26th,  1832. 
Towards  the  close  of  that  interesting  letter  he  says,  "  I  am 
now  in  my  eightieth  year ;  I  have  outlived  all  the  first  set  of 
ministers  who  settled  on  this  side  of  the  mountains,  viz..  Rev. 
Messrs.  James  Finley,  James  Power,  Jas.  Dunlap,  J.  Clarke, 
Joseph  Smith,  and  Thaddeus  Dodd ;  and  all  of  the  second  set 
who  were  raised  up  in  this  country,  viz.,  Joseph  Patterson, 
James  Hughes,  John  Price,  James  M'Gready,  Wm.  Swan, 
Samuel  Porter,  Thomas  Marquis,  and  J.  M'Pherrin."  There 
is  Dr.  M'Millan's  list  of  the  second  set ;  and  none  of  these 


*  The  statement  above  given  respecting  the  character  of  Mr.  Dodd's 
school,  the  writer  is  assured  by  the  Rev.  C.  Dodd  and  the  Rev.  Jacob 
Lindley,  is  not  altogether  correct.  This  school  of  Mr.  Dodd,  though 
with  an  English  department,  was  prominently  a  classical,  mathematical 
and  scientific  school.  The  silence  of  Mr.  Doddridge,  and  a  statement 
of  the  Rev.  William  WyHe,  D.  D.,  together  with  an  expression  of  the 
Rev.  Joseph  Patterson,  (see  his  Life,)  had  misled  us. 


80  LIFE  AND   TIMES   OF   THE 

did  be  train  or  instruct,  till  after  the  school  at  Buffalo  ceased, 
or  was  transferred  to  Chartiers. 

An  earlier  passage  in  this  letter  has  given  rise  to  what  we 
believe  an  error  respecting  the  date  of  Dr.  M'Millan's  Latin 
school.  It  is  as  follows:  "When  I  determined  to  come  to 
this  country,  Dr.  Smith  enjoined  it  upon  me*  to  look  out  for 
some  pious  young  men,  and  educate  them  for  the  ministry; 
for,  said  he,  though  some  men  of  piety  and  talents  may  go  to 
a  new  country  first,  yet,  if  they  are  not  careful  to  train  up 
others,  the  country  will  not  be  well  supplied.  Accordingly, 
I  collected  a  few  who  gave  evidence  of  piety,  and  taught  them 
the  Latin  and  Greek  languages.  Some  of  them  became  use- 
ful, and  others  eminent  ministers  of  the  gospel.  I  had  still 
a  few  with  me  when  the  academy  was  opened  in  Canonsburg, 
and,  finding  that  I  could  not  teach  and  do  justice  to  my  con- 
gregation, I  immediately  gave  it  up  and  sent  them  there." 

Now,  this  passage  furnishes  nothing  in  conflict  with  all  that 
we  have  said,  and,  we  think,  proved.  If  the  Doctor  refers  to 
a  period  prior  to  the  school  at  Buffalo,  as  some  seem  to  have 
understood  him,  but  of  which  he  says  nothing,  then  ivJio  were 
those  he  thus  trained,  and  who  afterwards  became  ministers  ? 
It  is  manifest  their  names  are  not  found  on  the  records  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Redstone,  nor  in  that  list  which  he  himself 
calls  the  second  set  of  ministers.  It  is  evident  that  either  this 
passage  in  the  Doctor's  letter  has  been  misunderstood,  when 
it  has  been  brought  to  prove  that  his  Latin  school  was  the 
first,  or  is  only  another  illustration  of  "lapsus  memori^"  in 
an  octogenarian  !  [This  letter,  by  the  way,  gives  no  evidence 
that  Dr.  M'Millan  had  any  direct  agency,  or  at  least  took 
any  active  part,  in  getting  up  the  academy  at  Canonsburg. 
On  this  we  have  other  evidence  that  he  opposed  that  location, 
but  it  is  aside  from  our  purpose  to  introduce  it  now.]  It 
seems  in  itself  not  unlikely  that  this  enterprise  should  begin 

*  He  no  doubt  gave  the  same  injunction  to  Mr.  Smith  and  others,  if 
he  had  the  opportunity. 


% 

REV.    JOSEPH    SMITH.  81 

with  Mr.  Smith,  as  he  was  a  thorough  classical  scholar,  and 
fifteen  years  older  than  Dr.  M'Millan,  and  the  pastor  of  two 
very  large  churches,  where  a  great  number  of  youth  had  been 
hopefully  converted  to  God  under  his  ministry.*     That  he 

*  We  would  also  invite  attention  to  the  following  statements  from  the 
Rev.  Joseph  Patterson,  and  from  his  son,  the  Rev.  Robert  Patterson,  as 
in  harmony  with  the  entire  view  we  have  given  above,  though  by  no 
means  written  for  that  purpose.  The  first  is  an  extract  from  a  prefa- 
tory note  to  a  volume  of  letters  written  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  Patterson: 
"  In  the  fall  of  1785,  being  thirty-three  years  old,  it  was  thought  best, 
with  the  advice  of  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone,  that  I  should  endeavor 
to  prepare  for  the  gospel  ministry.  There  being  no  places  of  public 
education  in  this  country,  I,  with  a  few  others,  studied  with  the  Rev. 
Joseph  Smith,  of  Buffalo  congregation,  Washington  county,  Pa.  Being 
partially  absent  from  my  family,"  &c. 

The  other  statement  will  be  found  in  the  following  extract  from  a 
letter  of  the  Rev.  Robert  Patterson  to  the  Rev.  M.  Brown,  P.  D.,  dated 
Oct.  1st,  1846 :  "  Between  1780  and  1790,  and  chiefly  in  the  latter  part 
of  these  ten  years,  some  of  the  few  Presbyterian  clergymen  living  west 
of  the  mountains  in  Pennsylvania,  were  in  the  habit  of  giving  instruc- 
tion in  the  languages  and  sciences  to  young  men,  whose  object  in  their 
studies  was  the  gospel  ministry.  The  Rev.  Messrs.  Joseph  Smith  and 
John  M'Millan  were  distinguished  in  their  devotion  to  this  cause.  They 
both  settled  in  congregations  in  Washington  county,  Pa.  Mr.  Smith 
had  a  small  building  erected  in  a  corner  of  the  garden,  called  "the 
students'  room,"  too  small  to  be  dignified  with  the  name  of  a  hall.  And 
Mr.  M'Millan  had  a  small  log  cabin  built  near  his  log  dwelling-house, 
known  to  this  day  by  the  appellation  of  the  "  log  cabin."  In  these 
primitive  seminaries  were  educated  some  men  who  became  eminently 
useful  and  successful  in  the  Church.  Among  them  may  be  named  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  William  Swan,  Samuel  Porter,  James  Hughes,  John  Brice, 
David  Smith,  Joseph  Patterson,  and  others  whose  names  do  not  occur 
to  my  memory.  It  should  be  here  stated,  that,  for  want  of  suitable 
places  elsewhere,  the  students  generally  lodged  in  the  minister's  family, 
without  profit,  and  sometimes  at  considerable  expense  to  the  household. 
In  this  service  and  toil,  the  wives  of  these  two  godly  ministers  heartily 
concurred.  I  knew  them  well,  and  they  were  both  eminently  mothers 
in  Israel. 

"  For  some  time  in  the  latter  part  of  1790,  instruction  in  these  small 
seminaries  had  been  suspended,"  Sec. 

Both  these  statements  substantially  confirm  the  account  given  by 
6 


82  LIFE   AND   TIMES   OF   THE 

cheerfully  handed  over  the  subsequent  management  of  this 
important  interest  to  Dr.  M'Millian,  and  co-operated  with  him, 
after  the  transfer,  in  building  up  the  school,  we  have  not  a 
doubt.  Indeed,  as  chairman  of  the  committee  appointed  by 
the  Synod  of  Virginia,  (and  truly  this  place  was  rightly 
assigned  to  him  who  had  done  so  much  in  starting  the  enter- 
prise,) he  brought  in  a  report  w^hich  was  adopted  by  the 
Synod  at  their  session  in  Winchester,  Oct.  1st,  1791.  That 
report  contains  these  two  interesting  items : 

"  The  committee  appointed  to  form  a  plan  for  promoting 
the  education  of  persons  for  the  ministry  of  the  gospel,  report : 
The  Synod  having  considered  the  same,  and  made  such 
amendments  and  additions  as  were  judged  necessary,  agreed 
to  it  as  follows :  '  Taking  this  measure,  therefore,  under 
serious  consideration,  the  Synod  recommend  that  there  be  two 
general  institutions  for  learning,  conducted  under  the  patron- 
age of  this  body  —  the  one  to  be  established  in  Rockbridge 
county,  in  this  State,  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Wm.  Graham ; 
the  other  in  Washington  county.  Pa.,  under  the  care  of  the 
Rev.  John  M'Millan.  The  principles  upon  which  these  insti- 
tutions are  to  be  conducted,  are  to  be  as  follows,'  "  &c.  Thus 
the  prominent  part  which  the  subject  of  this  memoir  took, 
from  first  to  last,  may  be  clearly  seen.  While  Mr.  Smith 
lived,  the  institution  at  Canonsburg  was  under  the  care  of  his 
presbytery,  and  remotely  of  his  synod  (of  Virginia).  And 
so  it  continued  for  many  years  after  his  death.*  It  is  no 
part  of  our  design  to  trace  the  subsequent  history  of  this 

t : 

Mrs.  Irwin  and  Dr.  C.  Dodd ;  whilst  the  latter  statement  of  the  Rev.  R. 
Patterson  shows  how  erroneous  has  been  the  prevailing  theory  about 
the  earlier  and  prior  origin  of  the  "log  cabin"  school,  and  about  the 
Canonsburg  academy  growing  out  of  it.  It  indeed  rather  grew  out  of 
Mr.  Johnson's  school,  or  Mr.  Miller's  school ;  and  Dr.  M'Millan  gave 
up  his  school  in  consequence,  in  part,  of  this  academy  being  thus 
begun.     (See  further  on  this  subject  in  the  Life  of  Dr.  M'Millan.) 

*  We  have  since  ascertained  that  this  statement,  as  will  hereafter 
appear,  is  not  quite  correct. 


REV.    JOSEPH    SMITH.  83 

earliest  western  Presbyterian  school  of  the  prophets.  For 
reasons  no  doubt  deemed  satisfactory,  it  has  long  since  passed 
out  of  the  control  of  the  Church.  It  is  no  longer  under 
ecclesiastical  supervision,  and,  indeed,  never  was,  we  believe, 
as  a  college.  Its  earlier  history,  from  the  peculiar  relations 
to  it  of  the  subject  of  tliis  memoir,  we  have  thought  proper  to 
notice.  Mr.  Smith  never  met  the  Synod  of  Virginia  again. 
Before  that  time  he  was  called  to  his  rest. 

Still  abounding  in  labors,  at  home  and  abroad,  and  wearing 
out  in  his  master's  service,  the  spring  of  1792  found  Mr. 
Smith  at  his  post.  His  health,  though  never  vigorous,  gave 
no  token  of  his  approaching  end.  He  was  in  his  pulpit  on 
the  first  Sabbath  of  April,  and  was  at  Cross  Creek,  according 
to  his  alternate  course,  on  that  day.  His  text  was  Gal.  i.  8, 
"  Though  we,  or  an  angel  from  heaven,  preach  any  other 
gospel  than  that  which  we  have  preached,  let  him  be  ac- 
cursed." He  took  occasion,  from  this  text,  to  give  them  a 
summary  sketch  of  his  twelve  years'  preaching.  It  seemed 
like  the  winding  up  of  the  whole  of  his  ministry.  It  was 
universally  remarked  that  he  spoke  as  though  he  had  a  pre- 
sentiment that  it  was  to  be  his  last  sermon.  He  seemed  to 
them  as  though  he  was  just  going  to  the  judgment-seat  of 
Christ.  The  whole  place  was  like  a  Bochim.  How  much 
more  were  his  people  affected,  when  it  was  found  that  he 
required  assistance  to  get  from  the  pulpit  to  his  horse !  He 
was  obliged  to  remain  for  a  day  or  two  in  the  neighborhood, 
and  then  was  conveyed  home-  on  a  sled.  Carriages  with 
wheels  were  almost  unkriown  then. 

His  disease  was  inflammation  of  the  brain.  His  sufferings, 
though  short,  were  severe.  In  the  earlier  stages  of  his  dis- 
ease, he  was  in  deep  waters.  At  one  time  a  cloud  of  great 
darkness  came  over  him.  His  affectionate  people  poured  in 
to  see  him.  He  asked  them  to  pray  for  him.  To  a  number 
of  young  people,  whom  the  Lord  had  given  him  as  his  spi- 
ritual children,  and  who  were  permitted  to  approach  his  bed- 
side, he  said,  "My  dear  children,  often  have  I  prayed  for  you 


84  LIFE   AND   TIMES    OF   THE 

when  you  were  asleep  in  your  beds ;  now  is  your  time  to  pay 
me  back.  Oli,  pray  for  me,  that  the  Lord  would  shield  me 
from  the  fiery  darts  of  Satan.  Deep  calleth  unto  deep,  and 
all  his  billows  he  maketh  to  pass  over  me."  In  such  lan- 
guage, we  have  been  told  h'j  one  of  that  group  that  then 
stood  by  his  bedside,  did  he  express  the  anguish  of  his  spirit ; 
but  the  conflict  was  soon  over,  and  all  was  peace.  His  last 
day  was  spent  in  the  land  of  Beulah.  As  long  as  he  could 
speak,  it  was  in  the  accents  of  triumph  and  holy  joy.  On 
the  19th  of  April,  1792,  Mr.  Smith  finished  his  course  on 
earth,  and  died  in  the  faith.  The  tidings  of  his  death  spread 
a  gloom  over  a  widely  extended  community.  Such  were  the 
feelings  of  his  own  people,  that,  as  many  of  them  testified,  it 
was  a  common  remark  among  them,  that  the  sun  did  not 
seem  to  shine  with  his  natural  brightness  for  many  days 
afterwards.  Truly  a  great  man  had  fallen  in  Israel.  The 
following  lines,  composed  by  the  Rev.  Thaddcus  Dodd,  are  to 
be  found  on  the  stone  that  covers  his  mortal  remains  in  the 
graveyard  at  Upper  Buffalo  : 

"  What  joys  malignant  flushed  the  powers  of  Hell ! 
But  Zion  trembled  when  this  Pillar  fell, 
Lest  God,  who  his  ambassador  withdrew. 
Should  take  away  his  Holy  Spirit  too ; 
Then  some  vain  hireling,  void  of  special  grace, 
Be  brought  to  fill  this  faithful  pastor's  place.*'* 

*  The  following  lines  were  found  among  Mr.  Dodd's  papers,  composed 
by  him  as  an  affectionate  tribute  to  the  memory  of  his  departed  friend 
and  brother: 

"  Hark  !  hark  !  methinks  I  hear  the  solemn  toll, 
Which  might  reverberate  from  pole  to  pole; 
That  dear  beloved  man,  whom  oft  we  heard, 
And  every  truly  gracious  soul  revered, 
That  man  of  God — the  man  we  often  saw, 
In  his  great  Master's  name  proclaim  his  law, 
In  terms  which  might  have  moved  a  heart  of  steel, 
And  almost  made  an  adamant  to  feel 
The  terrors  of  God's  wrath — and  when  he  show'd 
The  way  of  peace,  pointing  to  Jesus'  blood, 


REV.    JOSEPH    SMITH.  85 

The  congregation  -where  he  lived  and  died  still  survive  in 
the  successive  generations  that  have  arisen.  Their  candlestick 
is  not  yet  removed.  It  is  true,  that  by  emigration,  they  have 
furnished  an  immense  number  as  materials  for  new  churches 
all  over  the  West:  could  their  statistics  in  this  matter  be 
gathered,  it  would,  it  is  believed,  awaken  in  every  pious  mind 
astonishment  and  gratitude.  In  this  respect,  the  influence  of 
his  ministry  has  been  extended  down  till  the  present  time ; 
and  over  the  Western  States,  and  with  multitudes,  wherever 
the  traveller  wanders  through  Ohio  and  other  States,  he  will 
find  the  name  of  Joseph  Smith  pronounced  with  reverence 
and  affection.  It  will  be  seen  also  by  the  statistics  of  the 
General  Assembly,  appended  to  their  Minutes,  that  his  old 
churches  are  still  amongst  the  most  flourishing  of  Western 
Pennsylvania.  If  Kidderminster,  the  place  where  Richard 
Baxter  laboured  so  ardently  and  so  successfully,  has  still  a 
chosen  people,  after  the  lapse  of  two  centuries,  need  we 
wonder  that  the  Lord  is  still  very  gracious  to  the  descendants 
of  that  pious  race,  that,  more  than  seventy  years  ago,  were 
gathered  in  our  western  wilderness,  under  the  ministry  of  such 
a  man  as  Joseph  Smith,  who  "  lured  to  brighter  worlds,  and 
led  the  way." 

Mr.  Smith  was  a  faithful  preacher  of  the  terrors  of  the 
law ;  and,  on  this  account  profane  people  gave  him  the 
soubriquet  of  Hell-fire  Smith.  In  this  connexion  we  may 
mention  a  well-accredited  fact,  though  all  the  details  are  not 
now  preserved.     Mr.  Smith  was  on  his  way  to  the  General 

Hard  was  the  wretch,  a  senseless  rock  the  heart, 
That  in  the  Saviour  would  not  have  a  part ; 
Sweet  invitation  dwelt  upon  his  tongue, 
Enough  t'  have  drawn  an  infidel  along. 
In  him  seraphic  zeal  and  manly  sense, 
A  mind  informed,  and  sacred  eloquence, 
AVarm  (not  enthusiastic)  heavenly  love. 
To  souls  below  and  his  great  Lord  above, 
Joined  in  sweet  concert:   Unto  him  was  given 
The  art  of  converse,  tasting  strong  of  heaven." 


So  LIFE   AND   TIMES    OF   THE 

Assembly,  and  tarried  during  the  Sabbath  in  a  congregation 
where  vital  religion  was  at  a  very  low  ebb.  The  minister, 
having  heard  of  Mr.  Smith's  style  of  preaching  intimated  to 
him  that  he  would  be  glad  if  he  would  give  his  people  one  of 
his  more  moderate  sermons,  as  it  would  better  suit  their  taste. 
Mr.  Smith,  after  giving  out  an  impressive  hymn  and  offering 
an  unusually  fervent  prayer,  arose  to  preach,  and  as  he  rose 
Buttered  with  a  strong  voice  the  words,  "Fire!  fire!  fire!" 
The  congregation,  as  we  may  well  suppose,  were  alarmed  and 
agitated,  and  eagerly  glanced  their  eyes  towards  every  part 
of  the  building,  above  and  around.  "  If  the  very  mention 
of  the  word,"  continued  the  preacher,  "so  startles  you,  if  the 
mere  apprehension  of  it,  excited  by  the  voice  of  a  stranger, 
so  disturbs  you,  what  will  it  be  to  encounter  the  reality? 
'  Who  can  dwell  with  everlasting  burnings  ?'  This  is  my 
text."  He  delivered  one  of  his  most  alarming  and  awakening 
discourses.  It  was  the  means  of  an  entire  change  in  the 
spiritual  views  and  ministerial  labors  of  the  pastor,  and  the 
commencement  of  a  revival  of  reliorion  in  the  conojreo:ation. 
The  minister  often  mentioned  the  circumstance  freely,  and 
with  flowing  tears  and  expressions  of  gratitude  to  God  for 
having  sent  his  servant  among  them. 

At  one  of  the  first  communion  seasons  in  the  western 
wilderness,  Mr.  Smith  was  present.  An  immense  concourse 
of  people  were  drawn  together  from  a  widely  extended  settle- 
ment. The  services  were  conducted  in  a  grove,  adjoining  the 
meeting-house ;  which  house,  by  the  way,  would  hardly  have 
contained  a  tithe  of  the  people  that  usually  assembled,  on  such 
occasions.  This  recourse  to  a  grove  was  quite  a  common 
arrangement  for  many  years  afterwards.  There  are  thousands 
yet  living  who  well  remember  the  solemn,  delightful  scenes 
w^itnessed  and  enjoyed  beneath  the  canopies  of  western  forests; 
and  we  doubt  not,  the  reminiscences  of  Heaven  sometimes 
wander  back  to  such  rural  spots,  where  "  Heaven  was  begun 
^-^ below!"  But  to  return:  the  sacramental  service  which,  at 
that  time,  was  generally  more  protracted  than  in  our  day,  was 


REV.    JOSEPH    SMITH.  87 

at  length  closed,  late  in  the  afternoon  of  a  long  summer  day. 
Mr.  Smith  rose  to  deliver  a  closing  address  ;  but  the  attention 
of  the  audience  was  disturbed :  considerable  numbers  having 
many  miles  to  go  in  order  to  reach  their  homes,  were  rising 
and  dispersing ;  some  setting  out  on  foot,  some  going  to  their 
horses,  some  disengaging  their  bridles  from  the  branches  of 
the  trees,  some  preparing  to  mount,  some  already  mounted, 
and  riding  in  different  directions  —  presenting  altogether  a 
picturesque  and  striking  scene.  Mr.  Smith,  surveying  the 
whole  aspect  before  him,  and  raising  his  clear  and  remarkably 
piercing  voice  to  a  loud  and  thrilling  pitch,  commenced,  after 
this  manner :  "  One  word  to  those  who  are  now  retiring,  and 
who  cannot  remain  longer  with  us.  We  are  told  that  when 
this  supper  was  celebrated  for  the  first  time,  none  retired  from 
the  place  until  all  was  over,  but  Jucias.  If  there  be  any 
Judases  here,  let  them  go  !  but  let  them  remember,  that  what 
they  have  heard  and  seen  here  to-day,  will  follow  them  to 
their  homes  and  to  hell,  if  they  go  there  !"  The  effect,  it  is 
said,  was  like  an  electric  shock  ;  they  all,  with  scarcely  an 
exception,  returned  to  their  seats  and  hung  upon  his  lips  with 
fixed  attention,  until  the  benediction  was  pronounced. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  his  luill : — "I  give  and 
bequeath  to  each  of  my  beloved  children,  a  Bible,  to  be  paid 
for  out  of  my  personal  estate,  and  in  so  doing,  mean  to  inti- 
mate to  them,  as  I  am  a  dying  man  and  in  the  sight  of  God, 
that  it  is  ten  thousand  times  more  my  will  and  desire  that 
they  should  find  and  possess  the  pearl  of  great  price  hid  in  the 
field  of  the  Scriptures,  than  enjoy  anything  else  which  I  can 
bequeath  to  them,  or  even  ten  thousand  worlds,  were  they  all 
composed  of  the  purest  gold  and  all  brim-full  of  the  richest 
jewels,  and  yet  be  ignorant  of  the  precious  treasures  in  God's 
word,  that  are  entirely  hid  from  th(j  most  eagle-eyed  and 
quick-sighted  men  that  are  properly  of  this  world."  We 
cannot  forbear  to  add  that  there  is  good  reason  to  hope  that 
all  his  children  are  now  with  him  in  heaven.* 

*  Indeed  it  is  worthy  of  admiration  and  praise,  that  the  Lord  was 
truly  a  covenant  God  to  him  and  to  his  seed  after  him.     He  trained  in 


88  LIFE   AND    TIMES    OF   THE 

After  all  that  lias  been  said,  we  know  of  nothing  better 
suited  to  give  us  a  full  view  of  the  depth  and  fervency  of  his 
piety  than  the  following  letter,  written  more  than  two  years 
before  his  death,  and  addressed  to  a  young  minister,  though 
not  a  very  young  man,  whom  he  had  trained  for  the  sacred 
office,  and  who  was  now  just  settled  as  a  pastor  in  an  adjoin- 
ing field.* 

"  iu7\  and  Dear  Sir,  —  Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  with  you  and 
yours.  It  might,  perhaps,  look  too  much  like  flattery,  to  tell  you  how 
much  I  long  to  see  you,  and  the  desire  I  have  for  your  success  in  the 
great  work  which  your  divine  Master  has  lately  intrusted  you  with. 
Dear  sir,  let  me  remind  you,  and  myself  with  you,  that  such  is  tho 
greatness,  the  extreme  difficulty  of  a  minister's  work,  and  tho  awfully- 
important  consequences  of  every  sermon,  of  every  sentence  he  delivers 
in  the  name  of  the  Eternal  God,  that  every  man  of  the  sacred  charac- 
ter, who  knows  what  ho  is  about,  must  often  tremble  at  the  thought,  and 
cry  out  with  the  Apostle,  *  "Who  is  sufficient  for  these  things  V  AVho  is 
fit  to  stand  so  near  to,  and  personate  so  glorious  and  dreadful  a  God? 
Who  is  fit  to  manage  this  office,  so  as  to  give  a  good  account  of  it  upon 
the  strictest  inquiry  ?  Who  can  discharge  it,  answerable  to  that  bound- 
less eternal  felicity,  or  extremest  everlasting  misery,  which  will  enure 
upon  tho  manner  of  his  executing  it  ?     0,  what  acquaintance  with  God, 

the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord  Jive  chiKghfcrs,  one,  who  died  a 
peaceful  and  happy  death,  in  the  very  bloom  of  womanhood ;  the  four 
others  became  the  wives  of  ministers.  These  ministers  were  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Welch,  of  Dayton,  the  Rev.  James  Hughes,  fii-st  President  of  Miami 
University,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Anderson,  lately  deceased  in  Missouri,  and 
the  Rev.  Dr.  William  Wylio,  of  Newark,  Ohio,  One  of  his  sons  died 
whilst  preparing  for  the  ministry.  Another,  the  Rev.  David  Smith, 
lived  to  tho  age  of  thirty-two ;  after  preaching  with  great  success,  for 
about  nine  years,  he  literally  fell  in  his  JNIaster's  work,  with  his  armor 
on,  and  '*  vici'*  on  his  shield,  in  tho  midst  of  an  extensive  revival  of 
religion  in  his  congregation.  Several  of  Mr.  Smith's  grandchildren 
became  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  some  of  whom  are  now  in  the  field. 

*  Mr.  Smith  had  been  appointed  to  deliver  tho  charge  to  Mr.  Patter- 
son at  his  ordination  ;  but  was  prevented  from  attending  on  that  occa- 
sion. And  though  another  had  performed  that  service  in  his  stead,  he, 
in  this  letter,  perhaps  at  Patterson's  request,  sent  him  the  substance  of 
what  he  had  intended  and  prepared  to  say  in  the  charge.  See  Records 
of  2Cth  Meeting  of  Presbytery, 


IlEV.    JOSEPH    SMITH.  89 

wluit  application  of  mind,  what  skill,  what  prudence,  what  tenderness, 
what  care,  what  fortitude  and  courage,  does  such  an  one  need !  In 
short,  if  we  consider  and  well  survey  the  important  ends  of  our  office, 
how  extremely  difficult  it  is  ;  what  discouragements  and  oppositions  we 
have  to  encounter,  from  ourselves,  from  those  we  preach  to,  from  the 
missionaries  of  hell,  who,  with  a  zeal  that  may  reproach  our  lukewarm- 
ness,  exert  themselves  to  propagate  the  contagion  of  vice,  and  occasion 
those  to  relapse  who  seemed  upon  the  recovery  by  our  instrumentality, 
—  I  say,  can  we  consider  this,  the  important  and  tremendous  ends  of 
our  office,  and  yet  yawn  and  indulge  a  slothful  inactivity  in  the  pursuit 
of  them  ?  Surely,  no :  but  we  must  be  crying  out,  0,  that  wo  could 
get  free  from  the  stupifying  influence  of  sin  and  sloth !  and  keep  our 
spirits  deeply  impressed  with  the  dread  importance  of  eternal  things ! 
0,  that  we  were  always  duly  sensible  of  the  worth  of  the  immortal 
soul !  then  would  we  be  as  watchful  over  our  flocks  as  their  guardian 
angels. 

"  But,  alas!  from  hell,  too,  do  our  ministrations  meet  with  the  most 
powerful  opposition.  The  very  office  itself,  and  ministers  for  the  sake 
of  it,  are  the  butts  against  which  Satan,  by  his  instruments,  levels  his 
sharpest  darts,  well  knowing  that  here  are  laid  the  strongest  batteries 
against  his  kingdom.  And,  therefore,  without  doubt,  the  most  faithful 
ministers  are  the  most  assaulted. 

*'  Oh,  it  is  well  that  the  mighty  conqueror  hath  said,  *Lo !  I  am  with 
you  always,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.*  In  this  one  blessed  pro- 
mise we  find  all  necessary  provision.  The  officers  he  employs,  in  every 
age,  are  still  entitled  to  the  benefit  of  this  provision,  as  well  as  those 
of  the  first  ago.  Here,  then,  my  dear  son,  brother,  and  friend,  while 
you  take  heed  to  fulfil  your  ministry,  you  have  the  greatest  encourage- 
ment. Though  you  may  be  often  ready  to  faint,  and  so  left  to  feel  your 
weakness  and  dependence,  yet,  on  the  whole,  you  shall  find  strength 
proportioned  to  the  difficulties  of  your  work.  For  you  are  a  fellow- 
worker  with  Ilim  whose  designs  shall  not  be  frustrated  by  all  the 
powers  of  hell.  When  our  dear  Lord  put  you  into  the  ministry,  I  doubt 
not  at  all  but  he  counted  it  the  greatest  honor  he  could  put  upon  you 
in  this  mortal  life  ;  and  he  justly  expects  that  you  should  form  the  same 
estimate  of  it.  See  that  you  endeavor  always  to  realize  this,  and  it  will 
much  sweeten  your  work,  and  raise  your  grateful  wonder.  See  also 
that  you  keep  your  mind  believingly  attentive  to  this  promise,  '  Lo  !  I  am 
with  you,' — to  qualify  and  succeed  you  in  whatever  work  I  call  you  to, 
*Lo!  I  am  with  you,' — to  comfort  you  by  my  grace  and  Spirit,  when  your 
heart  is  grieved,'  Lo,  I  am  with  you,' — to  defend  and  strengthen  you  in 
every  trial,  though  all  men  should  forsake  you ;  and  while  He  stands 
with  you,  there  can  be  no  just  cause  of  fear  or  fainting.     When  you 


90  LIFE   AND    TIMES    OF   THE 

are  exposed  to  dcinger,  it  will  comfort  your  heart  that  Christ  holdeth 
the  stars  (his  ministers)  in  his  right  hand,  and  none  can  pluck  them 
thence.  If  any  hurt  them,  they  must  strike  them  there.  And,  there- 
fore, you  can  suffer  nothing  but  what  lie  permits  for  gracious  ends ; 
and  from  destructive  evils  you  are  altogether  safe. 

"  And  now,  my  dear  sir,  as  you  are  appointed  an  instrument  to  plant 
the  Heavenly  world,  may  you  be  honored  in  begetting  many  souls  to 
Christ,  and  saving  those  who  shall  be  your  crown  of  rejoicing  in  the 
day  of  our  dear  Lord  Jesus.  Nor  will  you  fail  of  endless  glory,  though 
your  hearers  should  perish  by  their  own  fault.  From,  dear  sir, 
"  Your  obedient,  affectionate  friend, 

"Joseph  Smith. 
"Cross  Creek,  Jan.  16,  1790. 
"Rev.  Mr.  Patterson." 

Such  were  the  views  and  sentiments  of  this  western  pio- 
neer of  the  gospel  ministry,  and  "  though  dead,  he  yet  speak- 
eth."  If  the  foregoing  account  of  this  eminent  servant  of 
God  be  rendered  in  any  measure  instrumental  in  promoting 
amongst  the  rising  ministry  an  increased  degree  of  devotion 
to  their  sacred  work  and  of  love  to  the  souls  of  men,  it  will  be 
an  abundant  compensation  for  the  time  and  trouble  expended  in 
the  preparation  of  this  article.  To  the  divine  blessing,  for 
this  purpose,  we  commend  our  humble  offering.  If  this  paper 
shall  meet  the  eye  of  any  of  the  descendants  of  the  venerated 
subject  of  this  Memoir,  may  it  contribute  to  quicken  their 
steps  heavenward.  J.  S. 

Note.  —  The  partner  of  Mr.  Smith's  joys  and  sorrows,  who  was  truly  a 
crown  to  her  husband,  Mrs.  Esther  Smith,  survived  him  for  twenty-eight 
years,  and  did  not  reach  the  goal  of  her  life  till  she  had  almost  touched 
the  boundaries  of  fourscore.  She  was  a  remarkable  woman.  Often  it 
might  be  said  "  she  was  an  Israelite  indeed,  and  a  mother  in  Israel. '^ 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Mr.  William  Cummin,  merchant,  of  Cecil 
County,  Maryland.  Early  in  life  she  knew  the  Lord,  and  devoted  her- 
self to  him.  In  the  twenty-second  year  of  her  age  she  was  united  in 
marriage  to  the  subject  of  the  foregoing  memoir.  They  had  eight 
children  —  three  sons  and  five  daughters ;  all  hopefully  the  children  of 
God.  Six  of  them  gave  comfortable  ground  of  hope  that  they  entered 
the  heavenly  rest  of  God's  people  before  their  mother.  Mary,  the  wife 
of  the  Rev.  James  Hughes,  and  Esther,  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  William 


REV.    JOSEPH    SMITH.  91 

"Wylio,  D.  D.,  survived  her.  But  Loth  have  long  since  joined  their  pious 
parents  in  the  heavenly  Inheritance,  as  we  confidently  and  joyfully 
hope.  Mrs.  Smith  lived  with,  and  sustained,  and  blessed  her  husband, 
more  than  twenty  years,  saw  him  triumphantly  depart,  and  pursued 
her  widowed  pilgrimage  for  a  still  longer  period,  before  she  in  turn 
reached  the  margin  of  Jordan,  on  whose  banks  she  had  seen  her  hus- 
band enjoying  the  visions  of  the  Celestial  City.  The  latter  part  of  her 
life,  particularly  after  her  removal  to  the  State  of  Ohio  —  for,  having 
selected  the  family  of  the  Rev.  James  Hughes  as  her  earthly  home,  she 
went  with  them  to  Ohio  —  was  peculiarly  useful.  Being  without  any 
particular  charge  or  incumbrance,  she  spent  a  great  part  of  her  time 
among  the  poor,  afflicted,  and  those  who  were  under  exercise  about  the 
state  of  their  souls.  She  did  much  to  relieve  and  procure  relief  for 
their  distress.  A  steady  member  of  female  praying  societies,  she  did 
much  to  unite  Christian  females  of  different  denominations  in  these 
societies ;  one  of  which  she  attended  weekly  until  a  few  days  before  her 
decease,  when  she  became  too  weak  to  walk.  She  gradually  declined, 
without  much  pain  or  sickness.  Near  the  close  of  life,  she  sometimes 
wondered  why  the  Lord  continued  lier  so  long  in  the  world:  she  feared 
that  she  had  in  some  way  offended  him  ;  and  this  was  a  reason  why  he 
did  not  take  her  home  to  himself.  She  said,  a  short  time  before  her  death, 
that  she  had  no  hope  but  through  the  perfect  righteousness  of  Christ. 
She  had  so  often  (she  thought  sincerely)  given  herself  to  the  Lord,  she 
believed  he  would  not  cast  her  off.  She  slept  sweetly  in  Jesus  on  the 
morning  of  the  7th  of  October,  1820,  in  the  78th  year  of  her  age,  while 
the  family  were  engaged  in  their  morning  devotions,  in  which  the  fol- 
lowing hymn  was  sung,  though  her  death  was  not  at  that  time  imme- 
diately expected : 

"Ye  fleeting  charms  of  earth,  farewell: 
Your  springs  of  joy  are  dry: 
My  soul  now  seeks  another  home  ; 
A  brighter  world  on  high. 

"  Farewell,  ye  friends,  whose  tender  care 
Has  long  engaged  my  love  ; 
Your  fond  embrace  I  now  exchange 
For  better  friends  above. 

"  Cheerful  I  leave  this  vale  of  tears, 
Where  pains  and  sorrows  grow : 
Welcome  the  day  that  ends  my  toil, 
And  every  scene  of  woe. 


92  LIFE   AND   TIMES    OF   THE   REV.  JOSEPH   SMITH. 

"  No  more  shall  sin  disturb  my  breast ; 
My  God  shall  frown  no  more ; 
The  streams  of  love  divine  shall  yield 
Transport  unknown  before. 


"  Fly,  then,  ye  interposing  days ; 
Lord,  send  the  summons  down : 
The  hand  that  strikes  me  to  the  dust 
Shall  raise  me  to  a  crown." 


CHAPTER    II. 

MANNERS,    CUSTOMS    AND    DOMESTIC    CIRCUMSTANCES    OF    EARLY 
FRONTIER    LIFE. 

We  cannot  suppose  that  some  account  of  the  manners  and 
customs  and  domestic  circumstances  of  the  people  among 
TN-hom  our  early  ministers  labored,  would  be  unacceptable— or  , 
be  deemed  out  of  place  in  this  work.     On  this  subject,  how- 
ever, we  shall  draw  largely,  though   not  exclusively,  upon 
Doddridge's  "Notes  on  the  Life  and  Manners  of  the  first 
Western  Settlers."    In  a  few  cases,  Mr.  Doddridge's  descrip- 
tions are  not  alike  applicable  to  every  section  of  the  early 
settlements.     He  was  more  conversant,  from  his  residence, 
with  the  habits  and  manners  of  the  Western  Virginians ;  yet, 
though  the  inhabitants  of  the  "Pan-Handle,"  perhaps,  prm- 
cipally  sat  for  the  picture  drawn  by  his  graphic  pen,  much  of 
his  account  is  equally  applicable  to  all  Western  Pennsylvania 
eighty  years  ago.     They  were  all  involved  in  the  same  priva- 
tions, and  were  obliged  to  adopt  similar  personal  and  domestic 
usages.     The  settlers  had  to  depend,  for  many  years,  princi- 
pally for  their  necessaries,  such  as  iron,  nails,  salt,  and  many 
other  things,  upon  the  towns  of  Chambersburg,  Hagerstown, 
and  Winchester;  whither  they  resorted  with  their  pack-horses, 
carrying  furs,  ginseng,  snake-root,  &c.,  to  barter.     In  1787, 
several  stores,  with  what  was  then  considered  good  stocks  of 
goods,  were  established  at  different   points,  by  enterprising 
men ;  who  found  it  their  interest  to  supply  the  articles  neces- 
sary for  a  new  country.     The  people  themselves  being  thus 
accommodated,  soon  gave  up  their  own  eastern  trips  for  such 
supplies.     The  merchandise,  salt,  &c.,  were  still  brought  out 
on  pack-horses :  two  men  would  manage  ten  or  fifteen  horses, 
carrying  each  about  200  pounds,  by  tying  one  to  the  other  in 


94:       MEANS  OF  GETTING  WAGONS  DOWN  THE  MOUNTAINS. 

single  file — one  of  the  men  taking  charge  of  the  lead-horse, 
to  pioneer ;  and  the  other  the  hinder  one,  to  keep  an  eye  on 
the  proper  adjustment  of  the  roads,  and  to  stir  up  any  that 
appeared  to  lag.  Bells  were  indispensable  accompaniments 
to  the  horses ;  by  which  their  position  could  be  more  easily 
ascertained  in  the  morning,  when  hunting  up,  preparatory  to 
a  start.  Some  grass  or  leaves  were  inserted  into  the  bell,  to 
prevent  the  clapper  frona  operating  during  the  travel  of  the 
day. 

The  first  wagon-load  of  merchandise  that  was  brought  over 
the  mountains  on  the  southern  route,  or  that  now  nearly  tra- 
versed by  the  national  road,  was  in  1789.  They  were  for 
Jacob  Bowman,  who  had  settled  at  Brownsville,  as  a  merchant, 
in  1787,  and  is  deceased  but  a  few  years  ago.  The  wagoner 
was  John  Hayden,  who  also  resided  in  Fayette  County  until 
his  death.  He  drove  four  horses,  brought  out  about  2000 
pounds,  for  which  he  received  $3  per  100,  and  was  nearly  a 
month  making  the  trip  to  and  fro,  from  Hagerstown,  Mary- 
land, a  distance  of  about  140  miles.  By  means  of  the  great 
improvement  in  the  road,  six  horses  will  now  haul  7000  or 
8000,  between  the  same  places,  in  seven  days,  for  $1  per 
100.— Bmjs  Eist.  Coll,  p.  343. 

The  perilous  character  of  the  roads  across  the  mountains — 
and  for  some  years  there  were  but  two,  that  of  Braddock's, 
and  the  other  cut  for  General  Forbes,  leading  from  Bedford, 
by  Ligonier,  to  Pittsburg,  rendered  the  management  of  a 
loaded  wagon  no  child's  play.  So  precipitous  was  the  descent 
on  the  northern  route,  that  it  was  usual  to  attach  a  small 
sapling,  with  all  its  brushy  boughs,  to  the  hinder  part  of 
the  wagon,  to  act  as  a  drag,  to  the  foot  of  the  mountain. 
These,  in  time,  accumulated  there,  by  the  road-side,  to  the 
great  puzzlement  of  those  travellers  who  were  not  aware  of 
the  cause. 

The  task  of  making  new  establishments  in  a  remote  wilder- 
ness, even  in  a  time  of  profound  peace,  is  sufficiently  difficult ; 
but  when,  in  addition  to  all  the  unavoidable  hardships  attendant 


THE    STYLE    OF   THEIR    BUILDINGS.  95 

on  this  business,  those  resulting  from  an  extensive  and  furious 
■warfare  with  savages  are  superadded — toil,  privation,  and 
sorrow  are  carried  to  the  full  extent  of  human  endurance. 
Such  was  the  wretched  condition  of  the  western  settlers,  in 
making  settlements  here.  To  all  their  difficulties  and  priva- 
tions, the  Indian  war  Avas  a  weighty  addition.  This  destruc- 
tive warfare  they  w^ere  compelled  to  sustain  almost  single- 
handed  ;  because  the  Revolutionary  contest  with  England 
gave  full  employment  to  military  strength  and  resources  on 
the  east  side  of  the  mountains. 

Their  buildings  were  of  the  rudest  kind.  A  spot  was  se- 
lected, on  which  to  erect  a  house.  On  an  appointed  day,  a 
company  of  choppers  met,  felled  trees,  cut  them  off  at  proper 
lengths ;  a  man  with  a  team  hauled  them  to  the  place ;  this, 
while  a  carpenter  was  in  search  of  a  straight-grained  tree, 
for  making  clapboards  for  the  roof.  The  boards  were  split, 
four  feet  long,  with  a  large  prow,  and  as  wide  as  the  timber 
would  allow :  they  were  used  without  shaving.  Some  were 
employed  in  getting  puncheons  for  the  floor  of  the  cabin. 
This  was  done  by  splitting  trees  about  eighteen  inches  in 
diameter,  and  hewing  the  faces  of  them  with  a  broad-axe. 
They  were  half  the  length  of  the  floor  they  were  intended  to 
make.  These  were  the  usual  preparations  for  the  first  day. 
The  second  day,  the  neighbors  collected  round,  and  finished 
the  house.  The  third  day's  work  generally  consisted  in  "fur- 
nituring"  the  house — supplying  it  with  a  clapboard  table, 
made  of  a  split  slab,  and  supported  by  four  round  legs,  set  in 
auger  holes.  Some  three-legged  stools  were  made  in  the 
same  manner.  Some  pins  stuck  in  the  logs,  at  the  back  of 
the  house,  supported  some  clapboards  which  served  for  shelves 
for  the  table  furniture,  consisting  of  a  few  pewter  dishes, 
plates  and  spoons ;  but  mostly  of  wooden  bowls,  trenchers, 
and  noggins.  If  these  last  were  scarce,  gourds  and  hard- 
shelled  squashes  made  up  the  deficiency.  The  iron  pots, 
knives  and  forks  were  brought  from  the  east  side  of  the  moun- 
tains, along  with  salt  and  iron,  on  pack-horses. 


96  DESCRIPTION   OF   THEIR   FURNITURE. 

A  single  fork,  placed  with  its  lower  end  in  a  hole  in  the 
floor  and  the  upper  end  fastened  to  the  joist,  served  for  a 
bedstead,  by  placing  a  pole  in  the  fork,  with  one  end  through 
a  crack,  between  the  logs  in  the  wall.  This  front  pole  was 
crossed  by  a  shorter  one  within  the  fork,  with  its  outer  end 
through  another  crack.  From  the  first  pole  through  a  crack 
between  the  logs  of  the  end  of  the  house,  the  boards  were  put 
on,  which  formed  the  bottom  of  the  bed.  Sometimes  other 
poles  were  pinned  to  the  fork,  a  little  distance  above  these, 
for  the  purpose  of  supporting  the  front  and  foot  of  the  bed, 
while  the  walls  were  the  supports  of  its  back  and  its  head. 
A  few  pegs  around  the  walls  for  a  display  of  the  coats  of  the 
women,  and  hunting-shirts  of  the  men ;  and  two  small  forks 
or  buck's  horns  to  a  joist,  for  the  rifle  and  shot-pouch,  com- 
pleted the  carpenter  work.  The  cabin  being  finished,  the 
next  ceremony  was  "  the  house-warming."  Did  our  first 
ministers  know  anything  of  such  modes  of  living?  Yes — 
every  one  of  them,  perhaps,  without  exception.  Take  Dr. 
M'Millan's  account  of  the  matter,  as  a  specimen.  "  "When  I 
came  to  this  country,  the  cabin  in  which  I  was  to  live  was 
raised ;  but  there  was  no  roof  on  it,  nor  any  chimney  nor 
floor.  The  people,  however,  were  very  kind,  and  assisted  me 
in  preparing  my  house,  and  on  the  16th  of  December  I 
removed  into  it.  But  we  had  neither  bedstead  nor  tables,  nor 
stool,  nor  chair,  nor  bucket.  All  these  things  we  had  to 
leave  behind  us ;  as  there  was  no  wagon  road  at  that  time 
over  the  mountains ;  we  could  bring  nothing  but  what  was 
carried  on  pack-horses.  We  placed  two  boxes  on  each  other, 
which  served  us  for  a  table,  and  two  kegs  answered  for  seats, 
and  having  committed  ourselves  to  God  in  family  worship,  we 
spread  a  bed  on  the  floor,  and  slept  soundly  till  morning. 
The  next  day  a  neighbor  came  to  my  assistance.  We  made 
a  table  and  a  stool,  and  in  a  little  time  had  everything  com- 
fortable about  us."  The  Doctor's  bedstead  and  other  fixtures 
were,  no  doubt,  such  as  Mr.  Doddridge  describes. 

The  diet  of  our  first  settlers,  says  our  author,  was  mainly 


THEIR    VICTUALS    AND    DRESS.  97 

*'  hog  and  hominy."  Dr.  M'Millan  says, ''  that  for  ^Yceks  to- 
gether they  had  no  meal,  and  lived  on  potatoes  and  pumpkins 
as  a  substitute  for  bread."  Johnny-cake  and  pone  were  the 
bread  for  breakfast  and  dinner ;  mush  and  milk,  a  standard 
diet  for  supper.  When  milk  was  not  plenty,  which  was  often 
the  case,  the  substantial  dish  of  hominy  had  to  serve  the 
place  of  them  ;  mush  was  frequently  eaten  with  sweetened 
water,  molasses,  bear's  oil  or  the  gravy  of  fried  meat. 

Their  dress  was  partly  Indian,  and  partly  of  civilized 
nations.  The  hunting-shirt  was  universally  worn.  This  was 
a  kind  of  loose  frock,  reaching  half  way  down  the  thighs, 
with  large  sleeves,  open  before,  and  so  wide  as  to  lap  over  a 
foot  or  more  when  belted.  The  cape  was  large,  and  some- 
times handsomely  fringed  with  a  ravelled  piece  of  cloth  of  a 
different  color  from  that  of  the  hunting-shirt  itself."  Both, 
however,  were  generally  of  that  description  of  cloth  called 
"Linsey-woolsey."  The  most  common  color  was  blue,  and 
had  a  far  neater  appearance  than  those  ugly-looking,  red- 
flannel  "waurauses" — now  much  worn  in  the  winter  by  the 
farmers.  "  The  bosom  of  this  dress  served  as  a  wallet  to 
hold  a  chunk  of  bread,  cakes,  jirk,  tow  for  wiping  the  barrel 
of  the  rifle,  or  any  other  necessary  for  the  hunter  or  warrior. 
The  belt  which  was  tied  behind,  answered  several  purposes, 
besides  that  of  holding  the  dress  together.  In  cold  weather 
the  mittens,  and  sometimes  the  bullet-bag,  occupied  the  front 
of  it.  To  the  right  side  was  suspended  the  tomahawk,  and 
on  the  left  the  scalping-knife  in  its  leathern  sheath." 

The  hunting-shirt  was  generally  made  of  linsey — sometimes 
of  coarse  linen,  and  a  few,  of  dressed  deer-skins.  These  last 
were  generally  cold  and  uncomfortable  in  wet  weather.  The 
shirt  and  jacket  were  of  the  common  fashion.  A  pair  of 
drawers  or  breeches  and  leggins  were  the  dress  of  the  thighs 
and  legs.  Buckskin  breeches,  yellow  or  black,  were  much 
worn  by  our  ministers  in  those  days.*     "VVe  have  seen  in  our 

*  When  these  skiiis  were  properly  dressed,  they  looked  as  well  as  the 
finest  Leeds  black  broadcloth. 
7 


98  THE  BUCKSKIX  BREECHES. 

boyish  days,  not  less  than  four  or  five  of  them  thus  dressed. 
Dr.  M'Millan  long  retained  his  preference  for  this  article  of 
dress.* 

Meeting  in  the  streets  of  Canonsburg,  one  day,  Joe  Dun- 
lap,  then  a  wild  and  thoughtless  son  of  the  venerable  Presi- 
dent of  the  College,  the  Doctor  said  to  him,  "  Joe,  can  you 
tell  me  the  difference  between  you  and  old  Satan?"  "  Yes," 
said  Joe,  "  I  wear  pantaloons,  and  Satan  wears  buckskin 
breeMies."  He  did  not  intend  to  insult  the  Doctor,  by  such 
an  answer.  He  knew  the  good  man  would  laugh  heartily  at 
his  jest. 

But  to  proceed  with  Mr.  Doddridge's  further  account  of 
the  dress  of  the  times : — "A  pair  of  moccasins  answered  for  the 
feet  much  better  than  shoes.  These  were  made  of  dressed 
deerskins.  They  were  mostly  made  of  a  single  piece,  with 
gathered  seams  along  the  top  of  the  foot,  and  another  from 
the  bottom  of  the  heel,  without  gathers,  as  high  as  the  ankle 
joint,  or  a  little  higher.  Elaps  were  left  on  each  side,  to  reach 
some  distance  up  the  legs.  These  were  nicely  adapted  to  the 
ankles,  and  lower  part  of  the  leg,  by  thongs  of  deerskin,  so 
that  no  dust,  gravel  or  snow  could  get  within  the  moccasin. 
The  moccasins  in  ordinary  use  cost  but  a  few  hours'  labor  to 
make  them.  In  cold  weather,  the  moccasins  were  stuffed  with 
deer's  hair,  or  dry  leaves,  so  as  to  keep  the  feet  comfortably 
warm. 

"In  latter  years  of  the  Indian  war,  the  young  men  became 
more  enamored  with  the  Indian  dress  throughout,  with  the 
exception  of  the  watch-coat.  The  drawers  were  laid  aside,  and 
the  leggins  made  longer,  so  as  to  reach  the  upper  part  of  the 
thigh.  The  Indian  style  of  toilet  was  adopted.  This  was  a 
piece  of  linen  or  cloth  nearly  a  yard  long,  and  eight  or  nine 

*  In  a  list  of  the  different  trades  in  Pittsburg  in  1792,  there  is  men- 
tion of  "  1  Skin-dresser  and  Breeches  maker."  It  was  doubtless  a  good 
business  then  ;  and  probably  our  ministers  patronised  the  establishment. 
For  though  their  -wives  could  "  gar  ould  clathes  to  look  amaist  as  weel 
as  new,"  we  never  heard  that  they  had  much  skill  at  working  in  leather. 


THE    INDIAN    STYLE    OF    DRESS    ADOrTED.  90 

inches  broad.  This  passed  under  the  belt  before  and  behind, 
leaving  the  ends  of  the  flaps  hanging,  before  and  behind,  over 
the  belt.  These  flaps  were  sometimes  ornamented  with  some 
coarse  kinds  of  embroidering  work.  To  the  same  belt  which 
secured  this  cloth,  strings  which  supported  the  long  leggins 
were  attached.  When  this  belt,  as  was  often  the  case,  passed 
over  the  hunting-shirt,  the  upper  part  of  the  thighs,  and  part 
of  the  hips,  were  naked.  The  young  warrior,  instead  of  being 
abashed  by  his  nudity,  was  proud  of  his  Indian-like  dress." 

The  latter  part  of  this  account  refers,  we  have  no  doubt, 
exclusively  to  the  region  along  the  Ohio,  bordering  on  the 
Indian  country. 

"  The  linsey-woolsey  petticoat  and  bedgown,  which  were 
the  universal  dress  of  our  women  in  early  times,  would  make 
a  very  singular  figure  in  our  days.  A  small  home-made  hand- 
kerchief, in  point  of  elegance,  would  ill  supply  the  profusion 
of  ruffles  with  which  the  nftcks  of  our  ladies  are  now  orna- 
mented. She  went  barefooted  in  warm  weather,  and  in  cold, 
their  feet  were  covered  with  moccasins,  overshoes,  or  shoe- 
packs,  which  often  would  make  but  a  very  sorry  figure  beside 
the  elegant  morocco  slippers,  often  embossed  with  bullion, 
which  at  present  ornament  the  feet  of  their  daughters  and 
grand-daughters." 

A  lady  dressed  noiv,  as  to  neck  and  feet,  as  here  described, 
and  just  as  we  have  seen  forty  years  ago,  would  create  as 
much  surprise,  as  one  in  the  style  of  still  earlier  days.  Such 
are  the  whims  of  fashion. 

The  coats  and  bedgowns  of  the  women,  as  well  as  the 
hunting-shirts  of  the  men,  were  hung  in  full  display  on  wooden 
pegs,  round  the  walls  of  their  cabins;  so  that  while  they 
answered,  in  some  degree,  the  place  of  paper-hangings  or  ta- 
pestry, they  announced  to  the  stranger,  as  well  as  neighbor, 
the  wealth  or  poverty  of  the  family  in  the  articles  of  clothing. 
This  practice  prevailed  for  a  long  time.  It  is  said  that  such 
a  display  of  female  attire  annoyed  the  worthy  old  Bishop  As- 
bury  so  much  the  first  night  he  lodged  in  the  West,  that  he 
could  not  sleep  till  they  were  all  taken  down. 


100  THE  SUNDAY  COTTON  SHIRTS. 

The  sight  of  a  splendid  wardrobe  or  clothes-press  would 
have  astonished  many  of  our  grandmothers  as  much  as 
"Punch"  describes  the  Frenchmen,  staring  at  a  washstand ! 

"  The  ladies  handled  the  distaff,  [we  suppose  he  means  the 
spinning-wheel,  big  and  little,]  shuttle,  sickle,  weeding-hoe, 
scutching-knife,  hackle,  and  were  contented  if  they  could  ob- 
tain their  linsey-woolsey  clothing ;  and  covered  their  heads 
with  sun-bonnets  made  of  6  or  700  linen."  The  quality  of 
linen  was  graded  according  to  the  number  of  threads  in  what 
was  called  a  "cut."  The  coarser  fabrics  contained  only  6  or 
700  threads  in  a  cut ;  while  the  finer  sort,  approaching  the 
superior  qualities  of  Irish  linen,  would  contain  10  or  12  and 
even  1800  such  threads. 

Cotton  fabrics  were  but  little  known,  or  in  demand. 
Such  as  were  brought  into  the  country,  of  which,  to  some  ex- 
tent, Sunday  shirts  were  made,  were  of  the  most  flimsy 
description,"^  and  all  of  foreign  importation.  Flax  was  univer- 
sally cultivated.  When  ripe,  it  was  usually  pulled  by  the 
women  and  boys,  as  this  operation  always  occurred  in  har- 
vest, when  the  men  were  occupied  with  their  grain  or  hay. 
And  those  who  '  pulled'  it,  after  the  seed  was  threshed  out  of 
it,  perhaps  towards  the  heels  of  harvest,  by  the  men,  then 
spread  it  out  '  to  rot'  for  some  weeks,  on  some  green  pasture 
fields ;  and  after  a  number  of  weeks,  it  was  taken  up,  ready 
for  the  application  of  the  'brake'  and  'swingling  knife.' 
The  former  instrument  required  the  muscular  arms  of  stout 
men.  The  latter  was  often,  perhaps  most  generally,  wielded 
by  the  women.  'Skutching  frolics,'  or  gatherings  of  neigh- 
bors to  skutch  or  swingle  flax,  were  very  common,  and  afi'orded 
much  innocent  amusement  and  recreation  to  the  young  people, 
blended  "with  pretty  hard  work.  The  old  ladies  generally 
took  charge  of  the   'hackling'  of  the  flax.     Hackling  and 

■^  It  required  some  caution,  on  return  from  church,  in  hot  -weather, 
when  the  boys  were  required  to  lay  them  off,  to  go  through  the  opera- 
tion without  tearing  them  to  pieces.  For  they  stuck  to  the  skin  like  the 
shirt  of  Nessus. 


THROWING   THE   TOMAHAWK.  101 

gooso-plcklng  days  rcr|uired  much  patient  toil.  Our  grand- 
mothers, even  on  those  days,  were  still  *at  home'  to  their 
visitants  ;  for  they  knew  nothing  of  modern  fashionable  lying 
in  high  life. 

"  One  important  pastime  of  our  boys,  was  that  of  imitating 
the  notes  or  noise  of  every  bird  and  beast  in  the  woods.  This 
faculty  was  not  merely  a  pastime ;  but  a  very  necessary  part 
of  education,  on  account  of  its  utility  in  certain  circumstances. 
The  imitations  of  the  gobblers,  and  other  sounds  of  wild 
turkeys,  often  brought  the  keen-eyed,  and  even  watchful 
tenants  of  the  forest  within  the  reach  of  the  rifle.  The  bleating 
of  the  fawn  brought  its  dam  to  her  death  in  the  same  way. 
The  hunter  often  collected  a  company  of  mopish  owls  on  the 
trees  about  his  camp,  and  amused  himself  with  their  hoarse 
screaming ;  his  howl  would  raise  and  obtain  responses  from  a 
pack  of  wolves,  so  as  to  inform  him  of  their  neighborhood,  as 
well  as  guard  him  against  their  depredations.  This  imitative 
faculty  was  sometimes  requisite  as  r>  measure  of  precaution  in 
war.  The  Indians,  when  scattered  about  in  a  neighborhood, 
often  collected  together  by  imitating  turkeys  by  day,  and 
wolves  or  owls  by  night.  In  similar  situations,  our  people 
did  the  same.  I  have  often  witnessed  the  consternation  of  a 
whole  neighborhood,  in  consequence  of  a  few  screeches  of 
owls.  An  early  and  correct  use  of  this  imitative  faculty  was 
considered  as  an  indication  that  its  possessor  would  become, 
in  due  time,  a  good  hunter,  and  a  valiant  warrior. 

Throwing  the  tomahawk  was  another  boyish  sport ;  in  which 
many  acquired  considerable  skill.  The  tomahawk,  with  its 
handle  of  a  certain  length,  will  make  a  given  number  of 
turns  in  a  given  distance.  Say  in  five  steps,  it  will  strike 
with  the  edge,  with  the  handle  downwards — at  the  distance 
of  seven  and  a  half,  it  will  strike  with  the  edge,  the  handle 
upwards,  and  so  on.  A  little  experience  enabled  the  boy  to 
measure  the  distance  with  his  eye,  when  walking  through  the 
woods,  and  strike  a  tree  with  his  tomahawk  in  any  way  he 
chose. 


102  ATHLETIC    EXERCISES. 

The  athletic  sports  of  running,  jumping,  and  wrestling, 
were  the  pastimes  of  boys  in  common  with  men.  A  well- 
grown  boy,  at  the  age  of  twelve  or  thirteen  years,  was  fur- 
nished with  a  small  rifle  and  a  shot-pouch.  He  then  became 
a  fort-soldier,  and  had  his  port-hole  assigned  him.  Hunting 
squirrels,  turkeys,  and  raccoons,  soon  made  him  expert  in  the 
use  of  his  gun."  Mr.  Doddridge  then  proceeds  to  mention 
the  prevalence  of  "story  telling" — and  the  kind  of  fictions 
that  were  common  in  those  days.  They  were  generally  of  the 
"  Valentine  and  Orson"  school.  He  then  offers  some  remarks 
that  do  much  credit  to  his  judgment  and  good  sense,  and  in 
justice  to  him,  we  will  let  him  be  heard.  '' Civilization  has 
indeed,  banished  the  use  of  those  ancient  tales  of  romantic 
heroism  ;  but  what  then  ?  It  has  substituted  in  their  place 
the  novel  and  the  romance.  It  is  thus  that,  in  every  state 
of  society,  the  imagination  of  man  is  eternally  at  war  with 
reason  and  truth.  That  fiction  should  be  acceptable  to  an 
unenlightened  people  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  as  the  treasures 
of  truth  have  never  been  unfolded  to  their  minds ;  but  that 
a  civilized  people  themselves,  should,  in  so  many  instances, 
like  barbarians,  prefer  the  fairy  regions  of  fiction  to  the  august 
treasures  of  truth,  developed  in  the  sciences  of  theology, 
history,  natural  and  moral  philosophy,  is  truly  a  sarcasm  on 
human  nature.  It  is  as  much  as  to  say  that  it  is  essential  to 
our  amusement,  that,  for  the  time  being,  we  must  suspend  the 
exercise  of  reason,  and  submit  to  a  voluntary  deception." 

"In  the  section  of  country  where  my  father  lived,"  says 
Doddridge,  "  there  was  for  many  years  after  the  settlement 
of  the  country,  'neither  law  nor  gospel.'  Our  want  of  legal 
government  was  owing  to  the  uncertainty  whether  we  belonged 
to  the  state  of  Virginia  or  Pennsylvania.  The  line  which  at 
present  divides  the  two  states  was  not  run  until  sometime 
after  the  conclusion  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  Thus  it 
happened  that  during  a  long  period  of  time  we  knew  nothing 
of  courts,  lawyers,  magistrates,  sheriffs  or  constables.  Every 
one  was  therefore  at  liberty  to  do  whatever  was  right  in  his 
own  eyes." 


THEIR    SUMMARY    MODES    OF    JUSTICE.  103 

"  As  this  is  a  state  of  society  which  few  of  my  readers 
have  ever  -witnessed,  I  shall  describe  it  as  minutely  as  I  can, 
and  give  in  detail  those  moral  maxims  which,  in  a  great 
degree,  answered  the  important  purposes  of  municipal  juris- 
prudence." And  we  will  also  here  add  that  what  Mr.  D. 
states  on  this  subject  will  serve  to  throw  light  upon  the  moral 
cliaracter  and  condithn  of  a  very  large  portion  of  that  field 
which  the  members  of  the  Redstone  Presbytery  occupied, 
especially  during  the  earlier  period  of  their  labors. 

"In  the  first  place,  let  it  be  observed  that  in  a  sparse  popu- 
lation, where  all  the  members  of  the  community  are  well 
known  to  each  other,  and  especially  in  a  time  of  war,  where 
every  man  capable  of  bearing  arms  is  considered  highly  valu- 
able as  a  defender  of  his  country,  public  opinion  has  its  full 
effect,  and  answers  the  purposes  of  legal  government  better 
than  it  would  in  a  dense  population  and  in  time  of  peace. 
Such  was  the  situation  of  our  people  along  the  frontiers  of 
our  settlements.  They  had  no  civil,  military,  or  ecclesiastical 
laws  ;  at  least,  none  that  were  enforced  ;  and  yet  '  they  were 
a  law  unto  themselves,'  as  to  the  leading  obligations  of  our 
nature  in  all  the  relations  in  which  they  stood  to  each  other. 
The  turpitude  of  vice  and  the  majesty  of  moral  virtue  were 
then  as  apparent  as  they  are  now ;  and  they  were  then  re- 
garded with  the  same  sentiments  of  aversion  and  respect 
which  they  inspire  at  the  present  time.  Industry  in  working 
and  hunting,  bravery  in  war,  candor,  hospitality,  and  steadi- 
ness of  deportment,  received  their  full  reward  of  public  honor 
and  public  confidence  among  our  rude  forefathers,  as  well  as 
among  their  better  instructed  and  more  polished  descendants. 
The  punishments  which  they  inflicted  upon  offenders,  by  the 
imperial  court  of  public  opinion,  were  well  adapted  for  the 
reformation  of  the  culprit,  or  for  his  expulsion  from  the  com- 
munity. 

The  punishments  for  lying,  idleness,  dishonesty,  and  ill- 
fame,  generally  was  that  of  "hating  the  offender  out,"  as 
they  expressed  it.     This  mode  of  chastisement  was  like  the 


104  THE   WORTH    OF   A   COW   AND   CALF. 

aT/>ia  of  the  Greeks.  It  was  a  public  expression,  in  various 
ways,  of  a  general  sentiment  of  indignation  against  such  as 
transgressed  the  moral  maxims  of  the  community  to  which 
they  belonged.  This  commonly  resulted  either  in  the  reforma- 
tion or  banishment  of  the  person  against  whom  it  was  directed. 
At  house-raisings,  log-rollings,  corn-huskings,  and  harvest- 
parties,  every  one  was  expected  to  do  his  duty  faithfully.  A 
person  who  did  not  perform  his  share  of  labor  on  these  occa- 
sions was  designated  by  the  epithet  of  "lazy  Lawrence,"  or 
some  other  title  still  more  opprobrious ;  and  when  it  came  to 
his  turn  to  require  the  like  aid  from  his  neighbors,  the  idler 
soon  felt  his  punishment  in  their  refusal  to  attend  his  calls. 

Although  there  was  no  legal  compulsion  to  the  performance 
of  military  duty,  yet  every  man  of  full  age  and  size  was  ex- 
pected to  do  his  full  share  of  public  service.  If  he  did  not 
do  so,  he  was  "  hated  out  as  a  coward."  Even  the  want  of 
any  article  of  war  equipments,  such  as  ammunition,  a  sharp 
flint,  a  priming-wire,  a  scalping-knife,  or  tomahawk,  was 
thought  disgraceful.  A  man  who,  without  a  reasonable  cause, 
failed  to  go  on  a  scout  or  campaign  when  it  came  to  his  turn, 
met  with  an  expression  of  indignation  in  the  countenances  of 
all  his  neighbors,  and  epithets  of  dishonor  were  fastened  upon 
him  without  mercy. 

Debts,  which  make  such  an  uproar  in  civilized  life,  were 
but  little  known  among  our  forefathers  at  the  early  settlement 
of  this  country.  After  the  depreciation  of  the  Continental 
Paper,  they  had  no  money  of  any  kind :  every  thing  pur- 
chased was  paid  for  in  produce  or  labor.  A  good  cow  and 
calf  was  often  the  price  of  a  bushel  of  alum  salt.  If  a  con- 
tract was  not  punctually  fulfilled,  the  credit  of  the  delinquent 
was  at  an  end.  Any  petty  theft  was  punished  with  all  the 
infamy  that  could  be  heaped  upon  the  offender.  A  man  on 
a  campaign  stole  from  his  comrade  a  cake  out  of  the  ashes,  in 
which  it  was  baking.  He  was  immediately  named  the  "  bread 
rounds."  This  epithet  of  reproach  was  bandied  about  in  this 
way :  when  he  would  come  in  sight  of  a  group  of  men,  one 


THE  "bread-rounds."  105 

of  them  would  call  "Who  comes  there?"  Another  -would 
answer,  "  The  bread  rounds."  If  any  one  meant  to  be  more 
serious  about  the  matter,  he  would  call  out  "  Who  stole  a  cake 
out  of  the  ashes?"  Another  replied  by  giving  the  name  of 
the  man  in  full.  To  this  a  third  would  give  confirmation  by 
exclaiming  "  That  is  true,  and  no  lie."  This  kind  of  "  tongue- 
lashing  "  he  was  doomed  to  bear  for  the  rest  of  the  campaign, 
as  well  as  for  years  after  his  return  home.  If  a  theft  was 
detected  in  any  of  the  frontier  settlements,  a  summary  mode 
of  punishment  was  often  resorted  to.  The  first  settlers,  as 
far  as  I  knew  of  them,  had  a  kind  of  innate^  or  hereditary 
detestation  of  the  crime  of  theft,  in  any  shape  or  degree ; 
and  their  maxim  was  that  "a  thief  must  be  whipped."  If 
the  theft  was  of  something  of  some  value,  a  kind  of  jury  of 
the  neighborhood,  after  hearing  the  testimony,  would  condemn 
the  culprit  to  Moses'  law ;  that  is,  to  forty  stripes,  save  one. 
If  the  theft  was  of  some  small  article,  the  ofi'ender  was  doomed 
to  carry  on  his  back  the  flag  of  the  United  States,  which  then 
consisted  of  thirteen  stripes.  In  either  case,  some  able  hands 
were  selected  to  execute  the  sentence,  so  that  the  stripes  were 
sure  to  be  well  laid  on.  This  punishment  was  followed  by  a 
sentence  of  exile.  He  then  was  informed  that  he  must  de- 
camp in  so  many  days,  and  be  seen  there  no  more,  on  penalty 
of  having  the  number  of  his  stripes  doubled. 

"For  many  years  after  the  law  was  put  in  operation  in  the 
western  part  of  Virginia,  the  magistrates  themselves  were  in 
the  habit  of  giving  those  who  were  brought  before  them  on 
charges  of  small  thefts,  the  liberty  of. being  sent  to  jail,  or 
taking  a  whipping.  The  latter  was  commonly  chosen,  and 
was  immediately  inflicted ;  after  which  the  thief  was  ordered 
to  clear  out.  In  some  instances,  stripes  were  inflicted,  not  for 
the  punishment  of  an  ofi*ence,  but  for  the  purpose  of  extorting 
a  confession  from  suspected  persons.  This  was  the  torture 
of  our  early  times,  and  no  doubt  was  sometimes  very  unjustly 
inflicted. 

"If  a  woman  was  given  to  tattling  and   slandering  her 


106  THE   HOSPITALITY   OF   THESE   TIMES. 

neiglibors,  slie  was  furnished,  by  common  consent,  with  a  kind 
of  patent-right  to  say  whatever  she  pleased,  without  being 
believed.  The  tongue  was  then  said  to  be  harmless,  or  to  be 
no  scandal." 

"  These  people  were  given  to  hospitality,  and  freely  divided 
their  rough  fare  with  a  neighbor,  or  stranger,  and  would  have 
been  offended  at  the  oifer  of  pay.  In  their  settlements  and 
forts  they  lived,  they  worked,  they  fought  and  feasted,  or  suf- 
fered together,  in  cordial  harmony.  They  were  warm  and 
constant  in  their  friendships.  On  the  other  hand,  they  were 
revengeful  in  their  resentments.  And  the  point  of  honor 
sometimes  led  to  personal  combats.  If  one  man  called  another 
a  liar,  he  was  considered  as  having  given  a  challenge,  which 
the  person  who  received  it  must  accept,  or  be  deemed  a 
coward ;  and  the  charge  was  generally  answered  on  the  spot 
by  a  blow.  If  the  injured  person  was  decidedly  unable  to 
fight  the  aggressor,  he  might  get  a  friend  to  do  it  for  him. 
The  same  thing  took  place  on  a  charge  of  cowardice,  or  any 
other  dishonorable  action.  A  battle  must  follow,  and  the  per- 
son who  made  the  charge  must  fight  either  the  person  who 
received  the  charge,  or  any  champion  who  chose  to  espouse 
his  cause.  Thus  circumstanced,  our  people  in  early  times 
were  much  more  cautious  of  speaking  evil  of  their  neighbors, 
than  they  are  at  present. 

"  Sometimes  pitched  battles  occurred,  in  which  time,  place, 
and  seconds  were  appointed  beforehand.  I  remember  having 
seen  one  of  those  pitched  battles  in  my  father's  fort,  when  a 
boy.  One  of  the  young  men  knew  very  well,  beforehand, 
that  he  would  get  the  worst  of  the  battle,  and  no  doubt  re- 
pented the  engagement  to  fight ;  but  there  was  no  getting 
over  it.  The  point  of  honor  demanded  the  risk  of  battle.  He 
got  his  whipping;  they  then  shook  hands,  and  were  good 
friends  afterwards. 

The  mode  of  single  combats,  in  those  days,  was  dangerous 
in  the  extreme :  though  no  weapons  were  used,  fist,  feet  and 
teeth  were  employed  at  will ;  but  above  all,  the  detestable 


CONTRAST    WITH    THE    PRESENT    TIMES.  107 

practice  of  gouging,  by  which  eyes  were  sometimes  put  out, 
rendered  this  mode  of  fighting  frightful  indeed.  It  was  not, 
however,  so  destructive  as  the  stiletto  of  an  Indian,  the  knife 
of  a  Spaniard,  the  small-sword  of  a  Frenchman,  or  the  pistol 
of  the  American  or  English  duellist.  I  do  not  recollect  that 
profane  language  was  much  more  prevalent  in  our  early  times 
than  at  present. 

"What  a  contrast,"  says  the  historian  of  Western  Penn- 
sylvania, "  does  this  picture  of  early  simplicity  present  to  the 
mind !  Great,  in  many  respects,  have  been  the  changes 
within  the  short  period  of  half  a  century.  Kow,  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  same  region  present  all  the  luxuries  and  refine- 
ments of  long-settled  European  countries.  All  the  fashions 
of  dress  in  the  metropolis  of  Pennsylvania  and  other  Atlantic 
cities,  flourish  here.  The  linsey  and  coarse  linens  have  been 
exchanged  for  the  substantial  and  fine  fabrics  of  Europe  and 
Asia  —  the  hunting-shirt  for  the  fashionable  coat  of  broad- 
cloth, and  the  moccasin  for  boots  and  shoes  of  tanned  leather. 
The  mechanics  here  are  not  surpassed  by  any  in  the  East. 
Literature  and  science  receive  great  attention.  By  the  per- 
severing hand  of  industry,  *  the  wilderness  has  been  made  to 
blossom,'  and  the  aspect  of  the  country  has  everywhere  been 
changed.  The  horse-paths  along  which  the  first  settlers,  for 
many  years,  made  their  laborious  journeys  over  the  moun- 
tains for  salt  and  iron,  (and  by  which  all  the  first  set  of  minis- 
ters, with  their  families,  reached  their  western  homes,)  were 
succeeded  by  wagon-roads ;  then  by  substantial  turnpikes ; 
and  now  by  the  flaming  path  of  the  iron  steed.  What  was 
iha  far  lack-ivooch  to  these  fathers,  is  now  brought  into  prox- 
imity, by  a  few  hours  of  easy  travel,  with  the  Atlantic  cities. 
Not  only  have  physical  changes  been  wrought,  but  the  rude 
sports  of  early  times  have  disappeared.  Athletic  trials  of 
muscular  strength  have  given  way  to  the  more  noble  ambition 
of  mental  endowments,  and  skill  in  useful  arts.  To  the  rude 
and  often  indecent  song,  have  succeeded  the  psalm,  the  hymn, 
and  the  swelling  anthem.     Yet  we  have  no  reason  to  boast ; 


108  "QUALITY   FOLKS." 

in  many  respects,  they  were  our  equals ;  in  some  of  the  most 
substantial  virtues,  perhaps,  indeed,  our  superiors.  And  well 
might  those  departed  spirits,  if  permitted  to  behold  our  pro- 
gress and  our  superior  advantages,  ask  us,  "  What  hast  thou 
that  thou  hast  not  received  ?" 

In  the  foregoing  picture  of  early  social  life  in  Western 
Pennsylvania,  which  we  have  taken  principally  from  Mr. 
Doddridge,  we  would  not  be  understood,  as  we  have  hereto- 
fore intimated,  to  exhibit  this  as  the  only  and  universal  state 
of  society  throughout  the  field  of  our  first  ministers.  From 
a  very  early  period  of  the  settlement  of  this  country,  there 
was  a  numerous  class  of  persons,  possessing  a  degree  of  refine- 
ment and  intelligence  that  would  have  no  occasion  to  blush  in 
the  presence  of  any  class  of  persons,  native  or  otherwise,  now 
to  be  found  amongst  us.  Many  of  them  contrived  to  gather 
around  them  some  of  the  usual  appendages  of  a  higher  social 
life.  Though  their  dwellings  at  first  were  humble,  their 
tables  often  displayed  evidences  of  progress  in  the  culinary 
art,  upon  which  little  advance  is  anywhere  now  to  be  found. 
And  so,  with  their  means  of  resting  the  weary  traveller. 
Throughout  a  portion  of  Westmoreland,  Fayette,  and  Wash- 
ington counties,  there  were  many  gentlemen  farmers,  of 
refined,  easy  manners,  courtly  in  their  address,  social  and 
hospitable,  always  ready  to  receive  our  ministers  on  their 
weary  journeys  to  distant  meetings,  or  to  the  destitute  settle- 
ments. Some  of  this  class,  with  their  wives  and  families, 
were,  or  became  members  of  our  churches.  They  were  the 
"  quality  folks,"  as  they  were  called  by  the  people.  Now,  it 
is  worthy  of  notice,  that  almost  all  our  first  ministers  were 
the  right  sort  of  men  to  win  the  respect  and  esteem  of  this 
class,  and  not  to  repel  them  by  any  boorishness  in  their  own 
manners.  Their  own  intelligence,  politeness,  and  refinement, 
gave  them  an  easy  and  welcome  admission  into  such  circles, 
wherever  they  existed.  Thus,  with  this  class  of  families  scat- 
tered around  them  through  their  respective  fields  of  labor, 
they  were  greatly  aided  in  their  efforts  at  the  general  improve- 


THE   MIDDLE    CLASS.  109 

ment  of  the  domestic  and  social  state  of  the  country.  It  may 
seem  an  extravagant  statement,  but  "we  verily  believe,  that, 
almost  in  the  very  midst  of  such  a  state  of  society  as  Mr. 
Doddridge  describes,  there  were  to  be  found  persons  of  the 
bland  and  courtly  manners  of  the  old  school,  such  as  can  sel- 
dom now  be  found  in  circles  of  the  highest  pretension.  John 
Randolph,  speaking  of  the  decline  of  this  class  of  gentlemen 
of  the  "  old  school,"  once  said  that  he  knew  of  but  one  real 
gentleman  left  in  all  Virginia ;  and  that  was  an  old,  gray- 
headed  slave.  In  "Western  Pennsylvania,  sixty  years  ago, 
there  were  gentlemen,  and  ladies  too,  such  as  he  referred  to ; 
and  in  some  instances  they  were  warm-hearted,  intelligent 
Christians. 

In  addition  to  this  class,  there  was  a  still  more  numerous 
class  of  plain,  substantial  Scotch-Irish  people,  who,  though 
somewhat  blunt  and  unpolished  in  their  manners,  yet  for  real 
kindness  of  disposition,  integrity,  and  hospitality,  are  not 
excelled  by  any  of  their  descendants.  Too  much  praise  can- 
not be  bestowed  upon  the  female  sex  of  this  middle  class. 
There  was  a  quiet  energy  of  character,  a  patient  endurance 
of  the  hardships  of  frontier  life,  and  a  cheerful  submission  to 
domestic  privations,  which  entitle  them  to  the  grateful  remem- 
brance of  the  present  generation.  Numbers  of  them  were 
called  to  bear  a  prominent  part  in  many  a  bloody  scene  and 
perilous  adventui-e  with  their  savage  neighbors.  A  volume 
could  not  contain  all  the  thrilling  stories  that  have  been  told 
of  female  sufferings,  of  female  prowess,  and  of  female  presence 
of  mind  and  promptness  to  seize  upon  happy  expedients,  in 
moments  of  imminent  peril.  Then,  in  more  peaceful  times, 
woman  was  a  most  efficient  fellow-laborer  in  building  up  our 
western  Zion.  If  Paul,  in  writing  to  his  Christian  brethren 
of  Philippi,  desired  that  help  should  be  afforded  'Uo  those 
women  that  labored  with  him  in  the  gospel,"  no  doubt  our 
early  ministers,  from  their  experience  of  similar  co-operation, 
could  sympathize  with  him  in  such  grateful  reminiscences. 
And  they  trained  their  children  to  fear  God,  to  tell  the  truth, 


110  EARLY  FEMALE   PIETY. 

to  reverence  the  Sabbath  and  house  of  God,  to  work  hard, 
and  to  be  honest  in  all  their  dealings.  Though  we  have  now 
better-educated  mothers,  we  are  compelled  to  doubt  whether 
we  have,  on  the  whole,  hetter  mothers.  If  there  is  more 
refinement  and  intelligence  now,  is  there  not  more  feebleness 
of  character,  more  dependence  on  the  conventionalities  of 
modern  social  life,  and  greater  physical,  if  not  mental  imbe- 
cility? There  are  noble  exceptions,  doubtless.  But  is  there 
not  something  still  waiting  in  our  modern  system  of  female 
education  ?  In  their  successful  attempts  to  polish  and  refine 
the  female  character,  may  the  ladies  not  divest  themselves  of 
many  of  the  substantial  qualities  of  our  early  western  mo- 
thers ?  They  become  more  lovely  and  charming.  But  do 
they  become  more  capable  of  fulfilling  their  "mission?"  We 
like  the  views  of  Mr.  Dymond,  the  Quaker  philosopher,  on 
this  subject.  See  his  "Essays  on  Principles  of  Morality,"  p. 
152,  Collins's  edition. 


lRlE\f  ©  (S 5^  ALLIES   idMTV. 

PirslPrcsbylcnan  Misslonary.West  o?  the  MouxvUms. 


•  A/A  /trrjsPM/' 


CHAPTER  III. 

WHEN    WERE    THE   FIRST   EFFORTS    MADE   TO    INTRODUCE   THE 
GOSPEL   IN    THE   WEST  ? 

TnE  trials  and  sufferings  of  the  early  settlers  in  the  West, 
must  have  enlisted  the  sympathies  of  their  friends  and  their 
countrymen,  generally,  east  of  the  mountains.  Our  own 
people  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  we  have  no  doubt,  shared 
largely  in  the  anxieties  and  prayers  of  their  pious  friends  and 
the  churches  they  had  left  behind,  when  they  took  their  lives 
in  their  hands  and  came  out  to  pitch  their  tents  in  the  howling 
wilderness.  It  is  interesting  and  instructive  to  review  the 
various  proceedings  of  the  synod  of  New  York  and  Philadel- 
phia (our  highest  judicatory  till  1789),  in  reference  to  the 
West.  At  the  first  meeting  of  that  body,  upon  their  happy 
reunion  in  1758,  we  find  a  record  respecting  the  appointment 
of  a  solemn  fast ;  that  shows  not  only  their  sympathy  for  the 
sufi'ering  people  of  the  frontier  settlements,  but  also  in  what 
light  they  regarded  the  war  with  the  French  and  Indians  that 
was  then  spreading  its  desolating  ravages  over  the  western 
settlements.  This  is  their  language :  "  Considering  the 
calamities  of  war,  and  dangers  that  threaten  us  from  savage 
and  anti-christian  enemies,  the  ravages  and  barbarities  com- 
mitted on  our  borders,  and  how  much  our  success  depends  on 
this  campaign" — perhaps  the  campaign  under  General  Forbes, 
just  about,  at  that  time,  to  set  out  for  the  re-capture  of  Fort 
DuQuesne,  "  and  being  sensible  that  God  has  been  greatly 
provoked  by  our  ingratitude  for  mercies  received,  the  decay 
of  vital  religion,  the  prevailing  of  vice  and  immorality  in  the 
land,  and  the  contempt  of  gospel  light,  liberty  and  privileges, 
we  judge  ourselves  loudly  called  upon  to  repentance  and 
humiliation;  and  accordingly  the  synod  recommend  that  a 

111 


112  OPINIONS    ON   THE   FRENCH   WAR. 

day  of  fasting  and  prayer  be  observed  by  all  the  congrega- 
tions under  our  care,  to  deprecate  the  wrath  of  God,  to  pray 
for  a  blessing  on  bis  Majesty's  armaments  by  sea  and  land  in 
order  to  secure  a  lasting  and  honorable  peace,  and  in  particular 
for  the  success  of  our  intended  expeditions  in  America," 
(there  were  three  then  in  progress ;  one  against  Louishurg — 
another  against  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  and  the  third 
against  Fort  DiiQuesne,) — for  ih.Q  2:>rosperity  of  his  Prussian 
3Iajestg's  arms  and  advancement  of  the  Protestant  interest ; 
for  the  overthrow  of  anti-christian  errors,  superstition,  and 
tyranny ;  and  the  universal  spread  of  pure  and  undefiled 
rehVion.  And  it  is  ordered  that  the  members  within  the 
bounds  of  this  province,  observe  it  on  the  16th  of  June  next, 
being  the  day  appointed  by  this  government  for  that  purpose," 
&c.  (Records,  p.  290.)  It  is  manifest  that  the  synod  regarded 
this  war  in*  part,  if  not  mainly  designed  to  promote  the 
interests  of  Antichrist,  and  to  extend  the  boundaries  of  the 
man  of  sin.  It  is  likewise  worthy  of  notice  that  President 
Davies,  in  his  Fast-day  Sermon  called  "the  Crisis,"  preached 
two  years  before,  in  reference  to  this  same  war — regarded  it 
much  in  the  same  light.  "Who  can  tell,"  says  he,  "but  the 
p-esent  war  is  the  commencement  of  this  grand  decisive  con- 
flict between  the  lamb  and  the  beast ;  i.  e.,  between  the  pro- 
testant  and  popish  powers?  The  pope  first  received  his 
principality  and  secular  authority  from  Pepin,  one  of  the 
kings  of  France ;  and  there  seems  to  be  something  congruous 
in  it,  that  France  should  also  take  the  lead,  and  be,  as  it  were, 
the  general  of  his  forces,  in  the  last  decisive  conflict  for  the 
support  of  his  authority.  This  is  also  remarkable  and  almost 
peculiar  to  the  present  ivar,  that  protestants  and  papists  are 
not  blended  together  in  it,  by  promiscuous  alliances  ;  but 
France  and  her  allies  are  all  papists,  and  Britain  and  her 
allies  are  all  protestants.'' 

But  the  sympathies  and  the  action  of  the  synod  terminated 
not  here.  We  find  two  years  after,  1760,  the  Bev.  3Iessrs, 
A.  31'Boivel  and  H.  Allison  are  allowed  to  go  out  as  chap- 


THE   FIRST    MISSIOXARIES   TO    THE   WEST.  113 

lains  to  the  West,  with  the  Pennsylvania  forces.  And  in  the 
two  successive  years,  they  petitioned  the  governor  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  the  Assembly,  in  behalf  of  the  captives  among 
the  savages  to  the  West — earnestly  imploring  their  attempts 
to  recover  them.  (See  Records,  pp.  312,  315.)  In  1763, 
the  synod  took  another  step  to  supply  the  spiritual  wants  of 
the  frontiers.  They  recommended  to  all  their  Presbyteries 
to  propose  one  or  more  of  tlieir  candidates  that  they  think 
proper  to  be  sent  to  their  frontier  settlements,  and  that  they 
let  their  candidates  know  that  they  intend  to  propose  them 
as  such,  to  the  synod,  "that  so  our  synodical  appointments 
may  be  more  punctually  fulfilled"  (p.  324).  But  we  find 
another  record  of  greater  significance  still,  illustrating  the 
interest  the  synod  took  for  this  western  region,  in  1763.  It 
seems  that  the  "  Corporation  for  poor  and  distressed  Presby- 
terian ministers,"  &c.,  had,  at  their  meeting,  November  16, 
1762,  agreed  to  appoint  some  of  their  members  to  wait  on 
the  synod,  at  its  next  meeting,  and  in  their  name  to  request 
that  some  missionaries  be  sent  to  preach  to  the  distressed 
frontier  inhahitants,  and  to  report  their  distresses,  and  to  let 
them  know  w^hen  new  congregations  are  forming  and  what  is 
necessary  to  promote  the  spread  of  the  gospel  among  them, 
and  that  they  likewise  give  information  as  to  what  opportu- 
nities there  may  be  of  preaching  the  gospel  to  the  Indian 
nations  among  them.  The  Board  also  proposed  to  pay  the 
necessary  expenses  of  such  missionaries.  The  synod  accord- 
ingly appointed  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Beatty  and  Brainerd 
(brother  of  the  missionary,)  to  go  as  soon  as  they  can  con- 
veniently on  this  mission.  The  length  of  time  is  not 
mentioned;  but  it  is  evident,  from  the  amount  of  supplies 
they  assigned  to  their  pulpits  in  their  absence,  that  they  were 
expected  to  spend  several  months  in  this  service,  (Records, 
p.  326.)  But  they  were  prevented  from  going ;  .  as  they 
reported  at  the  next  meeting  of  synod,  1764,  "the  whole 
design  of  the  mission  being  entirely  frustrated  by  the  breaking 
out  of  the  Indian  war."  This  was  what  was  called  Pontiac's 
8 


114  THE   GREAT   DISTRESS   OF   THE   PEOPLE. 

war,  producing  one  of  the  most  awful  periods  of  distress  ever 
before  or  after  experienced  in  Western  Pennsylvania.  Though 
the  French  War  was  now  over,  the  savages,  instigated,  it  is 
believed,  by  their  late  allies,  carried  on  their  ravages  on  the 
frontiers,  even  worse  than  ever.  The  Indian  chieftain  Pontiac 
was  ostensibly  at  the  head  of  this  widely  extended  Indian 
war.  But  the  Canadian  French  Catholics  were  at  the  bottom 
of  it  all.  "  The  whole  country  west  of  Shippensburg  became 
the  prey  of  the  fierce  barbarians.  They  set  fire  to  houses, 
barns,  corn,  hay,  and  everything  that  was  combustible.  The 
wretched  inhabitants  whom  they  surprised  at  night,  at  their 
meals,  or  in  the  labours  of  the  field,  were  massacred  with  the 
utmost  cruelty  and  barbarity ;  and  those  who  fled  were  scarce 
more  happy.  Overwhelmed  by  sorrow,  without  shelter  or 
means  of  transportation,  their  tardy  flight  was  impeded  by 
fainting  women  and  weeping  children.  On  the  25th  July, 
1763,  there  were  in  Shippensburg,  1384  poor,  distressed 
back  inhabitants,  viz.,  men,  301 ;  women,  345  ;  children,  738  ; 
many  of  whom  were  obliged  to  lie  in  barns,  stables,  cellars, 
and  under  old  leaky  sheds,  the  dwelling-houses  being  all 
crowded."  (Hist.  West.  Penn.)  Such  is  the  frightful  picture 
given  us  of  the  state  of  the  country,  during  that  summer  that 
these  missionaries  were  to  have  spent  in  preaching  the  gospel 
in  Western  Pennsylvania.  But  the  signal  victory  gained  over 
the  Indians  by  Colonel  Boquet,  at  Brush  Creek,  or  rather  at 
Bushy  Run,  in  Westmoreland  County,  during  the  following 
autumn — so  dismayed  the  savages  that  they  not  only  gave 
up  all  further  designs  against  Fort  Pitt  and  the  surrounding 
country,  but  withdrew  from  the  frontiers,  far  beyond  the 
Ohio,  and  left  our  people,  for  a  while,  again  at  peace.*  Then 
the  Synod,  in  1766,  renewed  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Beatty, 

*  Yet  the  synod  this  very  year,  1763,  renewed  their  efforts  for  our 
Western  frontiers.  It  is  recorded,  May  24 — "  As  the  Synod  have  the 
mission  to  the  frontier  much  at  heart,  therefore,  lest  it  miscarry,  it  is 
ordered  that  if  either  Mr.  Beatty  or  Mr.  Brainerd  fail  of  going,  Mr. 
Kirkpatrick  shall  go  in  the  place  of  the  person  who  fails.'' 


MESSRS.    BEATTY   AND    DUFFIELD.  115 

and  instead  of  Mr.  Brainerd,  gave  him  Mr.  Duffield  as  his 
associate ;  directing  them  to  spend  two  months  on  this  mis- 
sion. They  accordingly  came  out,  and  were  in  Pittsburg  in 
September.  The  historian  of  Pittsburg  gives  the  following 
account  of  this  visit : 

"In  the  summer  of  1766,  the  Rev.  Charles  Beatty,  the 
grandfather  of  the  Rev.  C.  C.  Beatty,  D.D.,  of  Steubenville,  was 
appointed,  by  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  to 
visit  the  frontier  inhabitants,  in  order  that  a  better  judgment 
might  be  formed  of  what  assistance  it  might  be  necessary  to 
afford  them  in  their  present  low  circumstances,  in  order  to 
promote  the  gospel  among  them,  and  also  to  visit  the  Indians, 
in  case  it  could  be  done  safely.  On  Friday,  the  5th  Septem- 
ber, late  in  the  evening,  he  arrived  at  Fort  Pitt.  He  imme- 
diately waited  on  Captain  Murray,  the  commandant,  who 
received  him  and  his  companion,  Mr.  Duffield,  politely,  and 
introduced  them  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  M'Lagan,  the  chaplain  to 
the  42d  regiment.  The  officers  were  all  very  kind  to  them, 
invited  them  to  their  tables,  gave  them  a  room  in  the  fort, 
and  supplied  them  with  bedding,  so  that  they  were  as  com- 
fortable as  could  be  expected.  On  Sabbath,  7th  September, 
Mr.  M'Lagan  invited  him  to  preach  in  the  garrison,  which 
he  did ;  while  Mr.  Duffield  preached  to  the  people,  who  live 
in  some  Jcind  of  a  town  without  the  fort,  to  whom  Mr.  Beatty 
also  preached  in  the  afternoon."  The  writer  adds  :  "  we  infer, 
from  the  expression  '  some  kind  of  a  town,'  that  Pittsburg 
must  have  been  a  poor  affair  indeed."  —  ITisf.  Pitts. 

These  brethren  accordingly  reported  to  the  Synod,  at  their 
next  meeting,  1767,  that  they  had  complied  with  the  order  of 
last  Synod,  in  going  on  a  mission  to  the  frontiers.  We  have 
no  doubt  that  this  was  a  refreshing  visit  to  many  of  God's 
dear  suffering  people  in  this  region.  They  appear  to  have 
been  the  right  sort  of  men  for  such  an  important  work — men 
eminently  devoted  to  the  cause  of  Christ  and  of  missions. 
There  is  much  reason  to  believe  that,  on  their  return  to  their 
churches  and  to  the   Synod,  they  gave  a  fresh  impulse  to 


116  UNION    OF   FOREIGN   AND    DOMESTIC   MISSIONS. 

prayerful  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  religious  interests  of  the 
West.  For  they  reported  that  "  they  found  on  the  frontiers 
numbers  of  people  earnestly  desirous  of  forming  themselves 
into  congregations,  and  declaring  their  ■willingness  to  exert 
their  utmost  to  have  the  gospel  among  them,  but  in  circum-' 
stances  exceedingly  distressing  and  necessitous  from  the  late 
calamities  of  war  in  their  parts ;  and  also  that  they  visited  the 
Indians  at  the  chief  town  of  the  Delaware  nation,  on  the  Mus- 
kingum, about  130  miles  beyond  Fort  Pitt,  and  were  received 
much  more  cheerfully  than  they  could  have  expected ;  that  a 
considerable  number  of  them  waited  on  the  preaching  of  the 
gospel  with  peculiar  attention,  many  of  them  appearing  pecu- 
liarly concerned  about  the  great  matters  of  religion ;  that 
they  expressed  an  earnest  desire  of  having  further  opportu- 
nities of  hearing  those  things ;  that  they  informed  them  that 
several  other  tribes  of  Indians  around  them  were  ready  to 
join  with  them  in  receiving  the  gospel,  and  earnestly  desiring 
an  opportunity." 

The  Synod  were  so  favorably  impressed  with  this  account, 
that  they  appointed,  instanter,  Messrs.  Brainerd  and  Cooper 
to  pay  a  visit  to  the  frontier  settlements  and  the  Indians,  and 
spend  at  least  three  months  in  their  mission,  and  forbade  them 
to  take  any  money  from  the  frontier  settlements  for  their 
ministerial  labors  among  them.  The  Synod  also,  at  this  meet- 
ing, "  laying  to  heart  the  unhappy  lot  of  many  people  in  va- 
rious parts  of  the  land,  who  at  present  are  brought  up  in 
ignorance,  and  are  perishing  for  lack  of  knowledge ;  who,  on 
account  of  their  poverty,  or  scattered  habitations,  are  unable, 
without  some  assistance,  to  support  the  gospel  ministry  among 
them :  considering,  also,  that  it  is  their  duty  to  send  mission- 
aries to  the  frontier  settlements,  who  may  preach  to  the  dis- 
persed families  there,  and  form  them  into  societies  for  the 
worship  of  God,  and  being  moved  with  compassion  towards 
the  Indians,"  &c.,  entered  upon  a  new  and  much  more  sys- 
tematic plan  of  carrying  on  the  work  of  missions — enjoining 
annual  collections  in  all  the  churches — directing  Presbyteries 


NEW    MISSIONARIES    SENT    OUT.  117 

to  appoint  treasurers — appointing  themselves  a  general  trea- 
surer— requiring  annual  reports,  &c.  In  fine,  it  is  evident 
that  the  Sjnod  were,  at  this  meeting,  baptized  afresh  with  a 
missionary  spirit ;  and  it  was  probably  largely  owing,  under 
God,  to  the  instrumentality  of  Messrs.  Beatty  and  Duffield. 
And  who  knows  but  that  James  Finley  first  formed  the  pur- 
pose, then  and  there,  of  spending  his  life  eventually,  if  God 
should  spare  him,  amongst  that  people  of  whom  he  now 
heard  so  afflictin":  an  account  ?  for  he  was  at  that  meeting. 

The  prospect  now  appeared,  indeed,  to  brighten ;  but  alas ! 
many  long  years  of  trial  and  sorrow  must  roll  round  before 
the  West  is  supplied  with  faithful  laborers  in  its  growing  and 
spreading  harvest !  At  the  next  meeting  of  Synod,  1767, 
Messrs.  Cooper  and  Brainerd  reported  "that  they  did  not 
execute  their  mission  among  the  Indians  on  the  Muskingum 
and  other  parts,  as  ordered  at  last  Synod,  by  reason  of  the 
discouraging  accounts  brought  in  by  the  interpreter,  Joseph, 
sent  out,  as  mentioned  in  our  last-year's  minutes,  and  other 
discouraging  circumstances.  It  seems  tbat,  being  discouraged 
as  to  the  prospect  of  that  part  of  their  work  which  related  to 
the  heathen  natives,  they  did  not  feel  warranted  to  undertake 
that  part  of  their  appointment  which  related  to  the  frontier 
settlements.  And  so  another  year  passed  without  a  visit  to 
our  people  in  the  West.  Hitherto,  those  appointed  by  the 
Synod  were  entrusted  with  the  two-fold  work  of  both  Domestic 
and  Foreign  Missions.  The  failure  of  the  latter,  during  the 
last  year,  producing  a  sad  failure  of  the  former,  also  put  the 
Synod,  perhaps,  upon  the  appointment  of  eleven  of  their 
most  prominent  members,  lay  and  clerical,  to  devise  a  distinct 
and  general  plan  in  regard  to  missions  among  the  Indians. 
They  also  appointed  Mr.  Anderson  "  to  take  a  tour  on  the 
western  frontiers  of  Pennsylvania ;  to  set  off  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible, and  preach  in  the  vacancies  on  the  frontiers  at  least 
twdve  Sabbaths ;  for  which  he  is  to  receive  twenty  shillings 
for  every  Sabbath  that  he  preaches  on  the  other  side  of  the 
Kittatinning  Mountains ;    and  to    take  his  directions   from 


118  MR.  FINLET   FIRST   APPEARS. 

Donegal  Presbytery."  Whether  this  appointment  ^ras  ful- 
filled, or  whether  it  brought  him  into  what  are  now  the  western 
counties  of  the  State,  we  do  not  learn  from  the  records  of  the 
ensuing  year,  1769.  The  Synod,  however,  ordered  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Donegal  to  supply  the  Western  Frontier  with  ten 
sabbaths  of  ministerial  labor;  but  whether  it  was  fulfilled 
we  cannot  learn,  as  there  is  no  recorded  report.  Mr.  Niles, 
however,  was  then  appointed  to  labor  in  part  in  Western 
Pennsylvania,  but  failed  through  sickness.  Mr.  Finley,  also,  y 
was  then  (1771)  appointed  to  spend  two  months  "  at  least 
over  the  Allegheny  Mountains;"  which  he  reported  fulfilled 
at  the  next  meeting,  1772 ;  p.  426.  This  excellent  man,  we 
doubt  not,  gave  full  proof  of  his  ministry  amongst  the  dis- 
persed sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel,  and  amongst  the  famish- 
ing lambs  of  the  flock.  If  he  was  at  Pittsburg  during  that 
tour,  he  found  a  little  village  of  twenty  houses,  and  perhaps 
120  people.  In  other  places,  he  would  find  the  people,  just 
at  this  time,  harassed  with  the  conflicting  claims  and  jurisdic- 
tions of  the  two  states  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia ;  a  mat- 
ter which  soon  after  increased  to  a  fearful  flame  of  excite- 
ment, and  was  no  doubt  a  great  hindrance  to  the  progress  of 
the  gospel.  But  he  came  not  among  them  to  discuss  the 
merits  of  that  question;  and  whether  with  Virginians  or 
Pennsylvanians,  he  would  know  nothing  among  them  save 
Christ,  and  him  crucifi^ed.  In  1772,  the  Donegal  Presbytery 
were  appointed  "  to  send  either  Mr.  Craighead  or  Mr.  King 
to  Monongahela  and  other  places  adjacent,  to  supj)ly  as  long 
as  they  can."  Which  this  Presbytery  report  the  following 
year  as  complied  with,  but  do  not  state  which  of  these  minis- 
ters they  sent,  nor  how  long  he  labored.  Then  in  the  next 
succeeding  year,  1775  *,  Mr.  Forster,  also,  was  appointed  to 
supply  six  Sabbaths  in  the  frontier  parts  of  Pennsylvania  in 

*  "Mr.  Samuel  Smith,  a  probationer  under  the  care  of  the  Newcastle 
Presbytery,  was  appointed  to  supply  four  months  between  this  and  the 
next  meeting  of  Synod  on  the  frontier  parts  of  Pennsylvania  and  in 
Virginia,  if  his  state  of  health  shall  admit  of  it." 


FURTHER   ACCOUNTS    OF   MISSIONS.  119 

the  months  of  September  and  October.  But  the  records  of 
the  next  year  are  silent  as  to  his  complying  or  not  complying 
with  this  mission.  In  1776,  the  Synod  appointed  Mr.  Car- 
michacl  to  supply  two  months  —  October  and  November  —  in 
the  north  and  west  parts  of  Pennsylvania ;  and  the  Presby- 
tery of  Newcastle  were  ordered  to  supply  his  pulpit  four  Sab- 
baths, and  gave  the  same  Presbytery  leave  to  ordain  Mr. 
Power  si7ie  tltulo,  "  as  he  purposes  to  remove  to  the  western 
parts  of  this  province."  Up  to  this  date  we  have  traced  the 
history  of  the  various  proceedings  of  the  Synods  of  New 
York  and  Philadelphia  in  reference  to  this  field.  We  see 
from  the  recital  of  facts  on  their  records,  that,  for  near 
hventy  years  before  the  first  ordained  minister  removed  to  the 
West,  the  then  supreme  judicatory  paid  almost  unremitting 
attention  to  this  important  section  of  their  territory.  Several 
devoted  men  came  out,  and  no  doubt  labored  faithfully,  in 
trying  to  gather  the  sheep  in  the  wilderness.  Still,  down  to 
our  last  date,  it  was  yet  indeed  a  wilderness,  and  much  of  it 
long  continued  so ;  but  it  was  beginning  "  to  blossom  as  the 
rose."  In  a  few  more  years,  seven  faithful  men  are  found  at 
their  stations  in  this  vast  field,  and  henceforward  the  Synod 
is  exonerated  from  farther  care,  except  that  which  they  have 
for  all  their  churches. 

Some  further  account  of  the  Rev.  Charles  Beatty  may  very 
properly  find  a  place  here.  TVe  have  had  occasion  to  call 
special  attention  to  this  devoted  servant  of  Christ,  when  we 
endeavored  to  trace  the  history  of  the  Synod's  efforts  and 
action,  in  behalf  of  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  West. 

Charles  Beatty,  one  of  the  first  regular  Presbyterian  mis- 
sionaries to  Western  Pennsylvania,  was  a  man  of  no  ordinary 
character  and  worth.  It  is  evident,  from  the  early  records 
of  our  Church,  that  he  occupied  a  prominent  position  among 
the  brethren  and  fiithers  of  his  day.  He  was  born  in  the 
County  of  Antrim,  Ireland,  about  the  year  1715.  His  father, 
John  Beatty,  was  also  a  native  of  Ireland,  of  the  Scotch-Irish 
stock,  and  was  an  officer  in  the  British  army.     His  mother, 


120  MR.  beatty's  early  life. 

Christiana  Beatty,  whose  maiden  name  was  Clinton,  was  of 
English  descent.  His  father  died  when  he  was  very  young ; 
and  his  mother,  with  her  brother,  Charles  Clinton,*  their  fami- 
lies, and  several  others  of  their  relatives  and  friends,  resolved 
to  emigrate  to  America.  They  were  induced  to  leave  the 
country  of  their  birth,  principally  in  consequence  of  the  oppres- 
sive acts  of  the  Established  Church  towards  the  Dissenters. 
They  were  Presbyterians.  They  embarked  for  Philadelphia 
in  the  latter  end  of  May,  1729 ;  but  owing  to  a  peculiar  and 
disastrous  train  of  circumstances,  did  not  arrive  until  the 
month  of  October,  when  they  w^ere  landed  at  Cape  Cod.f 
They  resided  in  the  vicinity  of  that  place  until  the  spring  of 
1731,  when  they  removed,  with  their  families,  to  a  part  of 
Ulster,  now  Orange  County,  New  York,  where  they  formed  a 
flourishing  settlement. 

Mr.  Beatty's  inheritance  was  the  manly  and  religious  train- 
ing which  the  Scotch-Irish  are  accustomed  to  give  their  chil- 
dren. His  education,  however,  was  above  the  common  grade. 
In  Ireland  he  had  been  sent  to  a  classical  institution,  and  had 
obtained  a  good  knowledge  of  the  languages,  before  he  emi- 
grated to  this  country.  Providence  designed  the  young  stu- 
dent for  a  useful  career  in  a  distant  land,  and  gave  him  the 
early  advantages  and  opportunities  which  prepared  him  for 

"'  Charles  Clinton  was  the  father  of  George  Clinton,  Governor  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  and  Yice-President  of  the  United  States,  and  grand- 
father of  De  Witt  Clinton,  also  Governor  of  New  York. 

t  They  engaged  a  ship  at  Dublin,  commanded  by  a  Captain  Rymer, 
and  had  her  bound  to  them  for  the  faithful  performance  of  their  agree- 
ment. For  several  days  before  they  landed,  their  allowance  was  half  a 
biscuit  and  half  a  pint  of  water  for  twenty-four  hours.  Several  of  the 
passengers  died  of  famine,  among  whom  was  a  daughter  of  Christiana 
Beatty,  and  a  son  and  daughter  of  her  brother,  Charles  Clinton.  It  was 
believed  by  the  passengers  that  the  Captain  had  been  bribed  to  subject 
them  to  privation  and  hardship,  for  the  purpose  of  discouraging  emigra- 
tion. Cape  Cod  was  the  first  land  seen  by  them  on  the  American  coast; 
and  there  the  Captain  was  induced,  by  a  considerable  sum  of  money, 
to  land  them. 


HIS    TRAINING    AT    THE    *' LOG    COLLEGE."  121 

influence  in  future  life.  Like  many  a  faithful  servant  of 
Christ,  ^Ir.  Eeatty  was  not  rich  in  this  world's  goods,  though 
far  from  being  of  a  low  origin  ;  for  few  families  in  this  country 
were  of  a  higher  or  better  lineage.  With  a  noble  energy  and 
independence  of  spirit,  he  became,  for  a  season,  a  pedlar,  seek- 
ing thereby  the  requisite  means  to  qualify  himself,  the  sooner, 
for  whatever  business  or  station  the  Providence  of  God  might 
open  to  him  in  future  life.  This  business  brought  him,  in  his 
excursions,  to  the  Log  College,  at  Neshaminy,  then  under 
the  care  of  the  celebrated  "William  Tenant.  His  acquaintance 
with  that  excellent  man  led  to  his  entering  upon  a  course  of 
study  with  a  view  to  the  gospel  ministry.  Of  this  remarkable 
passage  in  his  history  we  shall  have  more  to  say  hereafter. 
Suffice  it  now  to  say,  that  here  he  pursued  his  studies  at  a 
most  eventful  time. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  was  agitated  by  the  different 
views  entertained  about  the  degree  of  closeness  and  searching 
stringency  to  which  candidates  for  the  ministry  should  be 
subjected,  in  inquiries  about  their  experimental  acquaintance 
with  religion — which  ultimately  ended  in  the  schism  of  1745. 
The  Log  College  was  the  training  place  of  the  revival  men. 
Its  influence  was  for  the  purity  of  the  Church,  and  for  the  sal- 
vation of  souls.  It  resisted  the  formality  of  a  dead  orthodoxy, 
and  inculcated  the  necessity  of  a  living  zeal  in  the  Christian 
ministry. 

Mr.  Beatty  was  probably  an  inmate  of  the  Log  College 
when  Whitefield  first  visited  Philadelphia;  and  no  doubt 
heard  that  great  man  when  he  preached  the  gospel  in  the 
old  grave-yard  of  Neshaminy,  where  the  old  church  formerly 
stood.  Trained  up  under  such  influences,  Mr.  Beatty  united 
zeal  to  orthodoxy,  and  became  a  burning  and  a  shining  light. 
He  was  licensed  October  13th,  1742,  by  the  Presbytery 
of  New  Brunswick,  which  took  the  lead  on  the  new  side,  and 
which  had  withdrawn — or  rather  had  been  exscinded — from 
the  Synod  two  years  before.  In  this  year,  the  increasing 
infirmities  of  old  Mr.  Tenant  induced  him  to  seek  a  release 
16 


122  THE   ORIGIN   OF   HIS   MISSIONARY   SPIRIT. 

from  his  pastoral  charge ;  and  in  the  following  year  a  call 
was  presented  from  Neshaminy  to  Mr.  Beatty,  and  he  was 
ordained  December  14th,  1743.  The  last  time  that  Mr.  Te- 
nant sat  in  Presbytery  was  at  this  ordination  of  his  pupil. 
^  About  this  time,  in  consequence  of  the  publication  of  Brai- 
nerd's  "Journal"  of  missionary  labors  among  the  Indians,  a 
missionary  spirit  seems  to  have  been  kindled  among  the  minis- 
ters of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  connection  with  the  Synod 
of  New  York  and  New  Jersey.  Under  this  influence,  both 
Mr.  Beatty  and  Mr.  Treat,  of  Abington,  left  their  congrega- 
tions, and  went  on  a  mission  to  the  Indians.  Previous  to  the 
unhappy  schism  in  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia,  in  1745 — 
which  led  to  the  formation  of  the  new  side  Synod  of  New 
York  and  New  Jersey — the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick 
had  withdrawn,  as  already  stated ;  and  any  further  notice  of 
it  is  not  found  in  the  Records  of  Synod,  after  1741.  But  Mr. 
Beatty's  name  does  not  then  appear. 

At  the  first  separate  meeting  of  the  new-side  synod  in  1745, 
he  is  reported  among  the  members  of  the  New  Brunswick 
Presbytery  as  J9rese?iit;  and  then,  as  such,  regularly  at  all 
the  subsequent  meetings  for  eight  years,  till  we  come  to  the 
year  1753,  when  he  is  thenceforward  reported  as  a  member 
of  the  Abington  Presbytery.  In  1754  he  was  appointed, 
along  with  Mr.  Bostwick  and  others,  to  spend  three  months 
as  a  missionary  in  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  which  mis- 
sion he  reported  at  the  next  meeting  of  synod  in  1755  as 
fulfilled.  In  the  following  year  it  appears  that,  having  been 
invited  to  become  chaplain  for  a  season  to  the  Pennsylvania 
troops  that  were  about  to  be  sent  to  the  northern  and  western 
frontiers  of  the  State,  under  the  command  of  Dr.  Franklin, 
he  sought  ad\dce  of  the  synod  whether  he  should  accept  of 
this  appointment.  It  appears  that,  at  a  meeting  of  the  com- 
mission of  synod,  they  were  informed  that  a  motion  had  been 
lately  made  to  him  by  the  government  of  Pennsylvania  to  go 
out  as  chaplain  with  their  forces  upon  the  frontiers,  and  he 
desired  that  some  provision  might  be  made  for  the  supply  of 


REV.  CHARLES  BEATTY  —  DR.  FRANKLIN.       123 

Lis  pulpit.  The  commission,  accordingly,  had  appointed 
Abington  Presbytery  to  supply  four  Sabbaths,  the  Presbytery 
of  New  York  three  Sabbaths,  the  Presbytery  of  New  Bruns- 
wick four  Sabbaths,  and  the  Presbytery  of  Newcastle  five 
Sabbaths.  In  this  case,  he  did  not  apply  for  advice.  But  it 
is  manifest  that  the  commission  had  expressed  their  cordial 
concurrence.  But  now,  having  sought  and  obtained  the 
advice  of  the  synod,  it  seems  probable  that  he  entered  upon 
the  service  soon  after ;  for  it  was  in  the  earlier  part  of  this 
year  that  Franklin  set  out  with  the  troops.  During  that 
campaign,  we  have  this  rather  amusing  notice  from  the  pen 
of  the  Philosopher-General : 

"  We  had  for  our  chaplain  a  zealous  Presbyterian  minister, 
Mr.  Beatty,  who  complained  to  me  that  the  men  did  not  gene- 
rally attend  his  prayers  and  exhortations.  When  they  en- 
listed they  were  promised,  besides  pay  and  provisions,  a  gill 
of  rum  a  day,  which  was  punctually  served  out  to  them,  half 
in  the  morning  and  half  in  the  evening ;  and  I  observed  they 
were  punctual  in  attending  to  receive  it :  upon  which  I  said 
to  Mr.  Beatty,  *  It  is  perhaps  below  the  dignity  of  youi-  pro- 
fession to  act  as  steward  of  the  rum ;  but  if  you  were  to 
distribute  it  out,  only  just  after  prayers,  you  would  have  them 
all  about  you.'  He  liked  the  thought,  undertook  the  task, 
and,  with  the  help  of  a  few  hands  to  measure  out  the  liquor, 
executed  it  to  satisfaction ;  and  never  were  prayers  more 
generally  and  more  punctually  attended.  So  that  I  think 
this  method  preferable  to  the  punishment  inflicted  by  some 
military  laws,  for  non-attendance  on  divine  service." — Days 
Hist.  Coll 

At  the  following  fall  meeting  of  synod,  he  ''  desired  to 
know  their  mind  with  respect  to  his  going  chaplain  to  the 
forces  that  may  be  raised  in  the  province  of  Pennsylvania,  if 
he  shall  by  the  government  be  called  to  that  service."  The 
synod  judged  it  to  be  his  duty,  and,  in  the  event  of  his  going, 
appointed  ample  supplies  for  his  pulpit.  [Rec.  p.  275.)  He 
was  present  at  the  meeting  of  synod  in  1757,  and  also  in 


124  DEATH    OF   A   FAITHFUL   MINISTER. 

1758  —  the  last  separate  meeting  of  that  synod.  At  that 
meeting,  informing  the  synod  that  Col.  Armstrong  had  asked 
him  to  serve  as  chaplain  to  the  first  battalion  of  Pennsylvania 
Provincials,  Mr.  Beatty  asked  advice  of  the  synod  as  to  his 
duty  in  this  matter.  They  unanimously  advised  him  to  go. 
Two  days  afterwards,  the  synods,  after  a  separation  of  thir- 
teen years,  were  again  united ;  and  Mr.  Beatty's  name  is 
found  among  the  "present."  Thenceforward  we  find  him 
occupying  a  prominent  place  in  the  proceedings  of  the  united 
synod,  (and  moderator  of  the  body  in  1764,)  till  his  name 
finally  disappears,  perhaps  shortly  before  he  was  called  to  his 
rest.  He  had  been  appointed  a  trustee  of  New  Jersey  Col- 
lege in  1763,  and  continued  its  ardent  and  efficient  friend  till 
his  death ;  indeed,  sacrificed  his  life  in  endeavoring  to  pro- 
mote its  prosperity;  for  he  died  in  Barbadoes,  August  13th, 
1772,  whither  he  had  gone  to  solicit  funds  for  the  college. 
Dr.  Alexander,  in  his  "Log  College,"  says,  "Mr.  Beatty 
was  an  able  evangelical  preacher,  and  was  much  esteemed  for 
his  private  virtues  and  public  labors.  He  seems  to  have  much 
of  a  public  spirit  and  a  popular  address."  We  will  conclude 
our  present  paper  with  an  extract  from  Dr.  Miller's  "  Life  of 
Dr.  Rodgers,"  respecting  the  subject  of  the  above  notice,  and 
a  remark  or  two  suggested  by  Dr.  M.'s  statement. 

"The  Rev.  Charles  Beatty,  a  native  of  Ireland,  obtained 
a  pretty  accurate  classical  education  in  his  own  country ;  but 
his  circumstances  being  narrow,  he  employed  several  of  the 
first  years  of  his  residence  in  America  in  the  business  of  a 
pedlar.*     He  halted  one  day  at  the  Log  College.     The  ped- 

*  Dr.  Miller,  though  a  model  of  politeness  and  refinement,  does  not 
mince  his  language  in  giving  this  anecdote.  He  might  have  used  the 
expression  "  itinerant  merchant,"  and  spoken  of  his  "  carrying  goods 
for  sale  into  country  neighborhoods."  But  it  seems  he  preferred  the 
plain,  old-fashioned  term,  "  pedlar."  He  used  to  tell  us  at  Princeton 
of  a  new  translation  of  the  New  Testament  once  published  in  England, 
in  which  the  author,  instead  of  the  old  expression,  "  a  certain  rich 
man,"  employed  the  words  "a  certain  opulent  gentleman."     The  late 


REMARKS    ON    DR.    MILLER'S    LANGUAGE.  125 

lar,  to  Mr.  Tenant's  surprise,  addressed  him  in  correct  Latin, 
and  appeared  to  be  familiar  with  that  language.  After  much 
conversation,  in  which  Mr.  Beatty  manifested  fervent  piety 
and  considerable  religious  knowledge,  as  well  as  a  good  edu- 
cation in  other  respects,  Mr.  Tenant  said  '  Go  and  sell  oif  the 
contents  of  your  pack,  and  return  immediately  and  study 
with  me.  It  will  be  a  sin  for  you  to  continue  a  pedlar  when 
you  can  be  so  much  more  useful  in  another  profession.'  '•'  He 
accepted  Mr.  Tenant's  offer,  and  in  due  time  became  an  emi- 
nent minister  of  the  gospel.  He  was  chaplain  in  the  army, 
under  Dr.  Franklin,  on  the  Lehigh.  He  died  at  Barbadoes, 
whither  he  had  gone  to  solicit  benefactions  for  New  Jersey 
College."  We  cannot  but  admire  the  spirit  of  energy  and 
self-reliance  which  Mr.  Beatty  had  previously  displayed  ;  and 
then  his  prompt  and  cheerful  acceptance  of  Mr.  Tenant's  pro- 
Rev.  Elisha  M'Curdy,  who,  perhaps,  had  more  of  the  spirit  and  fire  of 
the  early  preachers  than  any  of  his  cotemporaries,  was  once  a  road- 
wagoner,  and  always  spoke  of  himself  as  such,  and  never  was  known 
to  talk  of  his  having  "engaged  in  the  transportation  business."  Nor 
did  John  Newton  ever  speak  of  his  once  having  been  a  "mariner,''  but 
a  common  sailor  in  a  slave  ship !  We  confess  it  vrould  greatly  diminish 
our  respect  for  any  of  the  descendants  or  relatives  of  Beatty,  or 
M'Curdy,  or  Newton,  if  we  were  aware  they  would  feel  hurt  by  having 
the  plain  old-fashioned  expressions  adopted  about  the  former  employ- 
ments or  pursuits  of  their  ancestors.  Shades  of  Roger  Sherman  and 
Daniel  Sheffy  !  to  what  are  we  republicans,  and  followers  of  the  reputed 
Son  of  the  Carpenter,  coming,  in  this  ambitious  age  of  family  preten- 
sions !  We  shall  next,  perhaps,  hear  the  Apostle  Peter  called  "  a  pisca- 
torial merchant,"  instead  of  a  "  fisherman." 

*  This  language  is  changed,  but  not  improved,  we  think,  by  the 
writer  of  the  "  Biographical  Sketch  of  Charles  Beatty,"  in  the  Presby- 
terian Magazine  for  1852,  p.  413,  in  the  following  manner:  "You 
must  quit  your  present  employment.  Go  and  sell  your  merchandize, 
and  return  immediately  and  study  with  me.  It  will  be  a  sin  for  you 
to  continue  in  this  profession  when  you  may  become  qualified  for  the 
ministry  and  be  useful  in  winning  souls  !"  We  appreciate  the  probable 
motive  of  the  writer  in  giving  this  "  various  reading,"  but  differ  with 
him  in  our  judgment  and  taste — perhaps  erroneously. 


126  MR.  beatty's  example. 

posal.  We  do  not  wonder  that  lie  became,  through  future 
life,  no  ordinary  man.  Too  many  of  our  young  men  are  apt 
to  run  into  the  one  or  the  other  of  two  extremes.  Some  yield 
to  a  tame  helplessness  and  inertness  of  character — what  Dr. 
Speece,  of  Virginia,  expressed  by  a  homely  word — "granny- 
ism."  They  seem  to  think  it  a  great  hardship  to  be  thrown 
on  their  own  resources,  and  often  evince  great  reluctance  to 
make  any  effort  to  help  themselves  along  in  their  education. 
Others  cherish  a  morbid  feeling  of  dislike  to  the  offer  of  any 
aid  from  the  church.  They  imagine  they  become,  in  that 
case,  a  species  of  paupers  —  mere  "charity  students."  No 
view  of  the  case  can  be  more  false  than  this.  Who  ever 
dreams  that,  when  our  country  sustains  the  expenses  of  train- 
ing young  men  at  West  Point  for  her  future  service,  should 
she  need  them,  she  is  performing  an  act  of  charity  ?  And 
if  the  church,  in  her  wisdom,  makes  provision,  by  her  Board 
of  Education,  for  training  young  men  for  the  gospel  ministry, 
and  for  her  service,  and  thereby  provides  for  her  own  more 
rapid  growth,  inviting  poor  and  pious  young  men  to  accept 
her  aid,  that  thereby  they  may  the  sooner  become  ready  to 
serve  her  in  her  great  mission,  is  it  not  folly  and  presumption 
in  any  young  man  practically  to  impeach  the  collected  wisdom 
of  the  church,  and  to  decline  her  proffered  assistance  ?  say- 
ing, in  effect,  "  It  is  true  I  wish  to  preach  the  gospel ;  but 
unless  I  can  get  into  the  ministry  by  my  own  efforts,  I  will 
not  serve  God  in  the  gospel  of  his  Son ;  or,  at  at  least,  I  will 
suffer  a  few  more  years  of  my  short  life  to  pass  away,  though 
the  church  is  inviting  me  to  hasten  to  her  work,  and  sinners 
are  daily  going  down  to  eternal  death  !"  Ought  not  such  a 
young  man  to  review  the  motives  which  have  ever  led  him  to 
turn  his  thoughts  to  the  ministry?  Of  one  thing  we  are 
sure :  he  will  never  become  a  Charles  Beatty, 

We  have  thought  the  above  tribute  was  due  to  the  memory 
of  a  man  whose  name  has  been  seldom  pronounced  (except  as 
belonging  to  his  greatly  respected  relative)  by  any  now  living 


THE   STYLE    OF   THEIR    BUILDINGS.  127 

in  the  bounds  of  the  old  Presbytery  of  Redstone  —  a  man 
whom  God,  through  his  church,  first  sent  to  preach  the  gospel 
amidst  the  wilds  of  the  West. 

Since  the  above  was  written,  we  have  been  favored  with  the 
perusal  of  the  whole  Journal  of  Mr.  Beatty  when  on  his  tour 
to  the  West ;  but,  though  exceedingly  interesting,  we  find 
nothing  further  to  extract  from  it  that  is  of  essential  import- 
ance to  our  purpose.  For  the  earlier  part  of  this  memoir, 
we  are  indebted  to  the  writer  referred  to  in  the  last  note. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

STATEMENTS   ABOUT   THE   REDSTONE    PRESBYTERY. 

There  are  some  general  facts  and  circumstances  connected 
■^'ith  the  history  of  the  old  Presbytery  of  Redstone,  and  the 
period  to  which  it  belongs,  worthy  of  notice.  The  following 
remarks,  somewhat  miscellaneous,  ought  not,  perhaj^s,  to  be 
overlooked. 

1.  This  presbytery,  as  the  sole  undivided  presbytery  of  the 
West,  extended  through  a  period  of  twelve  years,  its  first 
meeting  being  on  the  19th  of  September,  1781,  and  its  last 
on  the  18th  of  October,  1793.  It  held  forty-one  meetings. 
Nine  times  it  met  at  Pigeon  Creek,  six  times  at  Chartier's, 
five  times  at  Rehoboth,  four  times  at  Roundhill,  three  times 
at  Dunlap's  Creek,  twice  at  Mount  Pleasant  and  Bethel,  and 
once  at  Bufi'alo,  Peters's  Creek,  Lebanon,  Pittsburg,  Laurel 
Hill,  LTpper  Racoon,  Short  Creek  and  Three  Ridges,  James 
M'Kce's,  Fairfield,  and  Long  Run.  There  was  but  one  "pro 
re  nata"  meeting  during  all  that  time,  which  met  in  Winches- 
ter, by  order  of  the  Synod  of  Virginia,  at  the  time.  Its 
object  was  simply  to  receive  Mr.  Barr's  application  for  a  dis- 
mission to  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  foregoing  statement,  that  the  greater 
number  of  their  meetings  were  held  without  the  bounds  of  the 
present  Redstone  Presbytery.  They  met  twenty-tw^o  times  in 
what  are  now  the  bounds  of  the  Ohio  and  Washington  Pres- 
byteries, twice  in  the  bounds  of  the  present  Blairsville  Pres- 
bytery, and  seventeen  times  within  the  bounds  of  the  present 
Redstone  Presbytery.  This  old  presbytery  originally  con- 
sisted of  but  four  members ;  three  of  whom,  Mr.  Dod,  Mr. 

128 


THE    VAST    AMOUNT    OF    LABOR.  129 

M 'Gillian,  and  Mr.  Smith,  -were  settled  out  of  its  present 
bounds.  A  very  large  majority  of  the  churches,  also,  were 
beyond  the  present  limits  of  the  Presbytery.  But  the  vacan- 
cies to  which  supplies  were  furnished  in  1782  and  1788,  (there 
were  none  appointed  at  their  first  meeting  in  1781,)  were  all 
in  the  bounds  of  the  present  Redstone,  except  one,  the  Oliio 
Court-house,  a  place  that  stood  some  miles  west  of  the  present 
town  of  Washington,  and  that  vanishes  and  appears  no  more 
in  the  subsequent  lists  of  supplies.  But  the  next  year,  1783, 
ten  Sabbaths  of  supplies  were  sent  without  the  present 
bounds,  and  only  four  within.  In  1784,  seventeen  Sabbaths 
were  given  to  vacancies  and  missionary  fields  without  the 
present  bounds,  and  only  seven  within.  The  disparity  be- 
comes greater  every  year  as  we  advance,  and  as  the  amount 
of  supplies  increases  from  year  to  year.  In  1788,  there  were 
thirty  supplies  given  to  the  territory  now  embraced  by  Red- 
stone Presbytery,  and  eighty-eight  to  churches  and  regions 
without.  This  enormous  increase  of  the  supplies  granted, 
was  owing  to  their  having  now,  for  the  first  time,  two  licen- 
tiates, Messrs.  Hughes  and  Brice,  who  were  licensed  April 
16th,  1788.  In  the  above  statement,  we  have  mentioned 
only  those  that  are  expressly  named.  But  this  by  no  means 
gives  the  full  amount  of  supplies  furnished  by  the  Presbytery. 
A  very  large  proportion  of  these  supplies  were  *'  at  discre- 
tion." For  instance,  in  1783,  when  this  part  of  their  work 
fairly  began,  there  were  only  fourteen  Sabbaths  assigned  to 
places  expressly  named,  while  there  were  ten  additional  Sab- 
baths at  discretion ;  making  in  all,  for  that  year,  twenty-four 
Sabbaths  of  supplies. 

2.  The  next  thing  to  which  we  would  direct  attention  is  the 
vast  amount  of  labor,  of  this  missionary  character,  which 
these  fathers  performed.  Thej  had  all,  without  exception, 
two  pastoral  charges,  from  eight  to  twelve  miles  apart.  They 
organized  the  Presbytery,  as  we  have  before  stated,  with  four 
members,  and  received  into  their  body,  within  the  first  three 
years,  three  additional  members,  Messrs.  Clarke,  Dunlap,  and 
9 


130  POOR   ACCESSIONS. 

Finley.  Six  years  after  their  organization,  Mr.  Barr  was 
added  to  their  number.  But  he  remained  only  three  or  four 
years,  and  seems  to  have  been  of  no  advantage  to  their  cause, 
rather  retarding  their  progress.  For  a  short  time  during 
1786,  two  Irishmen,  father  and  son,  perhaps,  by  the  name  of 
Morrison,  came  -among  them,  and  Labored  a  while  in  some  of 
the  vacancies ;  they  proved  to  be  no  acquisition,  but,  on  the 
contrary,  sources  of  much  vexation  and  trouble;  and  the 
brethren  felt,  doubtless,  that  they  were  well  rid  of  them,  when 
they  left.  An  excellent  man,  the  Bev.  Jacob  Jennings,  M.  D., 
from  the  Dutch  Beformed  Church  and  Synod  of  New  Jersey, 
joined  them  in  1791,  and  was  regularly  received  in  1792;  he 
was  a  valuable  acquisition.  But  about  the  same  time,  a  wan- 
dering star,  by  the  name  of  Thomas  Cooly,  professing  to 
have  come  from  a  presbytery  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  and  also 
with  "  a  dismission  and  testimonials  from  a  number  of  dis- 
senting ministers  in  England,"  came  among  them,  and  was 
employed  for  a  short  time  in  their  vacancies.  But  they  were 
not  satisfied  with  his  credentials,  and  referred  them  to  the 
Synod,  who  in  turn  referred  them  to  the  General  Assembly. 
The  Presbytery  then  declined  to  give  him  further  employment 
till  the  General  Assembly  would  decide  about  the  matter,  or 
Mr.  Cooly  could  more  satisfactorily  clear  up  his  case.  The 
General  Assembly  judged  his  credentials  forged,  and  the 
Presbytery  had  much  trouble,  as  in  the  case  of  the  Morrisons, 
in  neutralizing  the  mischief  done  in  various  vacancies,  and 
setting  their  people  right  in  respect  to  these  men.  They  were 
also  much  vexed  with  a  Mr.  Mahon,  who  came  from  the  Car- 
lisle Presbytery,  towards  the  close  of  their  history.  He 
wished  to  be  ordained  and  installed  as  pastor  in  Pittsburg ; 
but  they  were  not  satisfied,  on  examining  him  upon  experi- 
mental religion  and  cases  of  conscience;  upon  which  he 
applied  for  a  dismission  back  to  the  Carlisle  Presbytery, 
which  they  granted,  no  doubt  very  willingly. 

But  there  was  one  stranger  who  came  among  them  for  a 
short  time,  in  1787,  the  Bev.  Wait  Cornwell,  from  an  asso- 


MESSRS.    CORNWELL   AND    MOORE.  131 

ciation  in  Connecticut,  who  seems  to  have  been  a  very  pious, 
devoted  man.  He  assisted  Mr.  Smith  during  a  great  revival 
of  religion  in  Cross  Creek,  in  April  of  that  year,  and  spent  a 
few  months  in  visiting  the  vacancies  and  missionary  regions 
of  the  Presbytery,  under  their  direction,  and  then  returned; 
and  we  hear  no  more  of  him.  There  is  reason  to  believe  that 
he  rendered  important  service,  at  a  time  when  their  destitute 
churches  and  vacancies  had  grown  on  their  hands,  to  a  won- 
derful degree. 

A  short  time  before  they  adjourned  to  meet  no  more,  Mr. 
Thomas  Moore,  from  New  England,  appeared  among  them, 
a  man  of  great  worth,  who,  in  after  years,  labored  in  what 
are  the  bounds  of  the  Blairsville  and  Washington  Presby- 
teries, and  eventually  removed  to  Ohio,  where  he  died  a  few^ 
years  ago,  having  joined  the  New  School  Presbyterians,  how- 
ever, a  short  time  before  he  died.  He  was  a  Ilopkinsian  in 
theology,  somewhat  ultra  in  his  Calvinism,  and  in  the  promi- 
nence he  gave  it  in  his  preaching.  He  was  a  very  pious  and 
most  valuable  man,  of  strong,  vigorous  intellect,  and  uncom- 
promising in  his  denunciations  of  coming  wrath,  against  sin- 
ners and  hypocrites  in  the  church.  His  labors  resulted  in 
numerous  conversions,  both  at  Salem,  in  Blairsville  Presby- 
tery, and  at  Upper  Ten  Mile,  in  Washington  Presbytery, 
where  many  of  his  spiritual  children  may  yet  be  found.  He 
was,  perhaps,  the  most  awful  scourge  of  Arminianism  that  we 
ever  had  among  us. 

Now  with  the  above  exceptions,  those  beloved  men,  Clarke, 
Smith,  M'Millan,  Power,  Dodd,  Dunlap  and  Finley,  labored, 
in  season  and  out  of  season,  in  this  mighty  field,  widening  and 
widening  every  year — the  importunate  calls  from  vacancies 
growing  louder  and  more  numerous,  at  every  meeting  of 
Presbytery — for  seven  years,  (from  1781  to  1788,)  nearly 
fifty  places  needing  their  aid,  (their  names  are  all  before  us,) 
and  yet  all  this  time,  there  was  not  a  single  permanent  acces- 
sion to  their  number  from  Presbyteries  east  of  the  mountains. 
With  the  exception  of  Mr.  Cornwell,  who  remained  but  a  short 


132  LONG   JOURNEYS    OF   THE   FIRST   MINISTERS. 

time,  all  the  additional  help  thej  received  was  not  only  tran- 
sient, but  of  little  value,  some  of  it  positively  a  hindrance. 
AVhere  were  the  bowels  of  compassion  among  other  Presby- 
teries, and  with  the  young  licentiates  and  ministers  east  of 
the  mountains  ? 

This  view  of  the  matter  gives  us  the  means  of  appreciating 
still  more  highly  the  character  of  those  whom  Dr.  Hodge,  in 
his  Constitutional  History,  calls  "  a  noble  set  of  men."  Now 
look  at  the  amount  of  time  these  men  gave  to  this  extra  work 
on  their  hands — in  1782,  12  sabbaths  of  supplies ;  in  1783, 
24  sabbaths ;  in  1784,  27  sabbaths ;  in  1785,  34  sabbaths ;  in 
1786,  40  sabbaths ;  in  1787,  30  sabbaths ;  and  in  1788,  when 
they,  at  length,  have  two  licentiates,  their  appointments  for 
supplies  reach  the  number  of  127  sabbaths  ! 

Truly  these  men  "  sowed  in  tears."  We  must  not  forget 
that,  during  all  this  time,  they  and  their  people  were  harassed, 
more  or  less,  by  the  savages  on  their  borders  making  con- 
tinual inroads,  burning  and  desolating  all  before  them,  and 
sometimes  murdering  whole  families.  They  came  in  on  their 
settlements  from  various  points  on  the  Ohio  and  Allegheny 
rivers.  It  could  seldom  be  known  when  or  where  they  would 
strike — sometimes  over  towards  the  Ohio,  sometimes  coming 
in  from  Venango,  along  on  the  Loyalhanna;  they  (these 
ministers)  would  be  compelled  to  flee  to  forts  with  their  help- 
less families.  In  some  instances,  their  meetings  were  broken 
up.  In  many  cases,  at  particular  periods,  every  man  went 
armed  to  their  places  of  worship,  and  in  some  cases  stacked 
their  guns  at  the  door,  and  appointed  a  sentinel.  This  state 
of  things  did  not  entirely  subside  till  nearly  a  year  after  their 
last  united  meeting.  For  it  was  not  till  Wayne's  decided 
victory,  in  1794,  that  all  further  danger  from  this  quarter 
ceased. 

A  very  large  portion  of  what  then  composed  the  territory 
of  the  Presbytery  was  liable,  at  no  previous  period,  perhaps, 
to  more  danger,  than  after  the  disastrous  campaigns  of  Har- 
mar  and  St.  Clair,  in  1790  and  1791.     The  Presbytery,  at 


TIIEY    "SOWED    IN    TEARS."  133 

their  meeting  held  at  Bethel,  December  22d,  1701,  appointed 
a  special  fast  day — a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer — "  particu- 
larly on  account  of  the  situation  of  our  country  with  respect 
to  the  savages."  This  is  an  interesting  fact  in  their  history, 
and  it  is  fully  and  satisfactorily  illustrated  by  the  history  of 
that  year.  (See  the  46th  Note  on  the  Records.)  And  yet, 
in  the  midst  of  this  state  of  things  had  these  brethren  to  labor. 
They  often  preached  and  had  protracted  meetings  in  forts, 
especially  in  the  earlier  part  of  their  history,  on  their  western 
bounds.  Here,  also,  the  Spirit  of  God  was  often  poured  out ; 
and  a  revival  influence  which  was  begun  in  forts  extended,  in 
more  than  one  instance,  to  the  churches,  during  the  following 
weeks  and  months. 

3.  Let  us  consider  the  amount  of  toil  and  exposure  endured 
in  their  fulfilling  the  supplies  appointed.  Often  would  they 
have  to  travel  from  fifteen  to  fifty  miles,  and  be  away  for 
some  days  from  their  families.  The  roads  were  often  of  the 
worst  description,  and  sometimes  no  roads  at  all.  A  blind 
path,  but  seldom  used  must  be  followed,  when  every  neigh- 
borhood road  to  a  mill  or  a  smith's  shop,  being  much  more 
distinct,  would  be  almost  sure  to  mislead  them.  There  were 
few  or  no  pointers  or  finger-boards  in  those  days — no  bridges 
across  creeks  and  runs — the  fording  places  often  uncertain 
and  not  easily  found.  Yet  they  never  met  with  a  disaster  in 
these  missionary  excursions ;  and  their  families  were  kept 
safely  beneath  the  "overshadowing  wings."  Indeed  we  can 
ascribe  it  to  nothing  but  a  very  special  providence  exercised 
over  these  brethren  and  their  families,  during  these  periods 
of  their  frequent  separation — similar  to  that  which  was  spread 
over  the  ancient  people  of  God,  when  all  the  males  went  up 
to  Jerusalem,  from  every  part  of  the  land,  to  attend  the  great 
annual  festivals,  leaving  their  families  perfectly  exposed  to 
their  foreign  enemies.  So  long  as  they  were  faithful  to  His 
covenant,  God  "  made  their  enemies  to  be  at  peace  with 
them."  These  ministers  were  called,  not  only  to  distant 
points  to  preach  and  catechise  the  children,  but  also  to  preside 


134  THE   AGES    OF   THE   FIRST   MINISTERS. 

at  meetings  of  sessions,  to  settle  difficulties,  to  administer 
discipline,  to  reconcile  adverse  parties,  and  to  preserve 
churches  from  breaking  into  factions  and  fragments.  Two 
of  them  were  aged  men  before  they  entered  the  field.  Mr. 
Clarke  was  sixty-four  years  of  age  when  he  united  with  the 
Presbytery.  Mr.  Finley  was  sixty.  With  these  men,  their 
days  of  active  toil  and  endurance,  one  would  have  thought, 
were  past.  Yet  to  their  honor  it  will  be  found  that  they  took 
an  equal  share  in  the  labor  of  supplies.  Mr.  Finley  appears 
to  have  preserved,  till  the  age  of  seventy  (when  he  died), 
much  of  his  juvenile  buoyancy  and  activity ;  and  performed 
an  immense  amount  of  pastoral  labor,  over  a  field,  fifteen 
miles  long,  and  eight  or  ten  miles  broad.  The  others  were 
much  younger  men.  Dr.  M'Millan  was  twenty-nine  years  of 
age  when  the  Presbytery  was  organised ;  Mr.  Dodd,  thirty- 
one  ;  Mr.  Power,  thirty-five ;  Mr.  Dunlap,  thirty-eight,  when 
he  joined  the  Presbytery.  Mr.  Smith  was  forty-five  at  its 
formation.  It  was,  perhaps,  a  most  auspicious  circumstance 
that  they  had  all  been  in  the  ministry  some  years,  in  other 
fields.  They  were  not  inexperienced  men.  They  could  avoid 
any  errors  that  might  have  occurred  in  their  previous  course, 
and  in  other  fields.  They  were  much  better  able  to  count 
the  cost  —  and  even  to  endure  hardships  as  good  soldiers. 
They  were  capable  of  being  wise  counsellors  to  their  people 
in  all  matters  whatever. 

4.  On  one  subject  which  greatly  perplexed  their  people, 
and  no  doubt,  for  a  time,  hindered  the  progress  of  the  gospel, 
these  brethren  were  at  times  much  harassed:  we  refer  to 
the  conflicting  claims  of  the  two  States  of  Pennsylvania  and 
Virginia,  to  a  large  portion  of  their  field.  In  many  cases 
this  led  to  disputes  and  broils,  and  litigations.  In  some 
places,  there  was  great  uncertainty  as  to  land  titles.  To  such 
an  extent  did  this  grow  at  one  time,  that  thousands  of  the 
early  settlers  had  serious  thoughts  of  getting  up,  and  seeking 
a  quiet  home  elsewhere.  A  man  by  the  name  of  Jackson 
entered  into  an  extensive  combination  for  this  purpose,  and 


THE    STATE    BOUND AKY    QUESTION.  135 

drew  after  him  many  followers,  even  of  the  people  of  our 
communion.  This  scheme  was  to  go  and  possess  themselves 
of  a  quiet  settlement  further  west,  where  they  would  be  free 
from  these  conflicting  claims  of  jurisdiction.  It  happily,  how- 
ever, fell  through,  and  proved  only  a  flash  in  the  pan.  It 
may  well  be  supposed  that,  especially  through  Washington 
County,  this  would  be  a  source  of  much  trial  to  the  faith  and 
patience  of  ministers  and  people.  Some  of  our  ministers, 
indeed,  had  had  some  experience  of  this  very  kind  of  trouble 
in  the  region  whence  thc}^  came.  The  Nottingham  settlement 
had  passed  through  a  similar  trial.  Party  spirit  ran  high, 
and  broke  forth  in  acts  of  violence.  Many  of  those  who  had 
emigrated  from  that  region  could  well  remember  that  until 
Mason  and  Dixon  s  line  had  been  run,  people  knew  not 
whether  they  were  Marylanders  or  Pennsylvanians.  A  con- 
siderable part  of  Nottingham  fell  to  the  Maryland  side.  Mr. 
Finley  himself,  lived  in  Maryland,  while  his  church,  a  few 
miles  off,  was  in  Pennsylvania.  Ilis  brother.  Dr.  Samuel 
Finley,  with  his  church,  was  altogether  in  Maryland.  Messrs. 
Finley,  M'Millan,  Power,  and  Smith,  had,  therefore,  from 
their  earliest  days,  some  acquaintance  with  this  sort  of 
trouble  ;  and  therefore  knew  how  to  deal  with  it  when  it  came 
upon  them  afresh  in  the  West. 

5.  This  Presbytery,  during  the  twelve  years  of  its  undi- 
vided state,  consisted,  as  to  its  clerical  members,  of  pastors. 
There  were  no  ministers  then  without  charges — none  engaged 
in  secular  pursuits — none  who  were  merely  presidents  or  pro- 
fessors in  colleges,  academies,  or  seminaries.  When  they 
assembled,  they  came  together,  from  their  respective  fields  of 
labor,  all  earnest  men,  and  intent  on  doing  their  work,  as 
presbyters,  promptly,  but  faithfully.  There  was  not  a  toad- 
eater  among  them.  The  toadyism  and  servility  often  wit- 
nessed in  later  times,  (when  certain  members  of  our  ecclesias- 
tical judicatories  follow,  without  questioning,  some  Diatrophes 
"wholoveth  to  have  the  pre-eminence,")  were  unknown  in 
those  early,  unambitious  times.     They  would  have  stared  with 


136  CHARACTER   OF   THE   MINISTRY. 

astonishment  at  the  forwardness  and  garrulity  of  many  un- 
employed ministers  at  the  present  day,  who  seem  to  feel  that 
"the  care  of  all  the  churches"  rests  on  their  shoulders,  and 
who,  professing  great  dread  of  cliques  or  caucusses,  are  con- 
tinually getting,  or  keeping  them  up,  themselves.  They 
knew  nothing,  in  those  simple  days,  of  electioneering.  We 
never  heard  of  one  of  these  old  fathers  bustling  around,  at 
any  of  their  meetings,  asking,  "Whom  shall  we  make  Mode- 
rator?" or  "Whom  shall  we  send  to  the  Assembly?"  There 
were  no  triflers,  or  buffoons,  or  merry-andrews  among  them. 
You  would  never  see  one  or  more  of  them  sitting  back  from 
the  others,  while  the  examination  of  candidates  was  in  pro- 
gress, amusing  themselves  in  jocular  conversation,  and,  after 
a  few  minutes,  though  not  having  heard  a  word  from  the  can- 
didates under  examination,  popping  up  and  calling  out, 
"Moderator,  I  move  that  the  further  examination  on  this 
part  of  trial  be  arrested ;"  or,  "I  move  that  this  examination 
be  sustained." 

Such  trifling,  in  the  discharge  of  a  solemn  presbyterial 
duty,  was  unknown  to  our  fathers.  They  were  generally 
men  of  great  gravity  of  manners,  and  their  dress  and  de- 
meanor secured  for  them  uniformly  much  respect,  and,  with 
younger  people,  even  a  kind  of  dread.  When  they  first 
settled  in  the  western  country,  the  young  people,  and  espe- 
cially children,  were  filled  with  a  degree  of  awe  in  their  pre- 
sence. One  of  them  mentioned  an  extreme  case  of  the  kind, 
that  was  rather  ludicrous.  Meeting,  in  a  lane,  a  boy  who 
was  mounted  on  a  horse,  with  a  bag  of  grain  under  him,  he 
observed  that  the  lad,  who  had  perhaps  never  seen  a  minister 
dressed  in  black  clothes  before,  was  shying  off,  so  as  to  en- 
danger his  bag  by  coming  into  contact  with  a  corner  of  the 
fence,  called  out  to  him,  "  Don't  be  afraid,  my  son ;  I'll  not 
hurt  you."  "The  deil  trust  you!"  said  the  boy,  evidently 
in  a  tremor  of  alarm.  Yet  we  would  much  mistake  the  cha- 
racter of  those  good  men,  were  we  to  imagine  that  they 
thought  it  a  sin  to  laugh.     Some  of  them  were  men  of  consi- 


DELIGHTFUL   UNANIMITY.  137 

derable  ^vit,  and,  in  its  proper  place,  all  of  them  indulged  in 
a  hearty,  joyous  spirit.  More  cheerful  men  never  lived ;  but, 
with  few  exceptions,  they  never  compromised  their  clerical 
dignity,  either  in  or  out  of  presbytery. 

Whilst  there  was  a  great  difference  in  the  manners  and 
constitutional- temperament  of  these  seven  brethren,  they  were 
truly  a  band  of  brothers.  They  never  strove  together  but  to 
provoke  each  other  to  love  and  good  works.  A  more  harmo- 
nious ecclesiastical  body  never  existed.  They  were  of  one 
mind  and  one  heart.  Indeed,  most  of  them  had  drunk  at  the 
same  fountains  in  their  training ;  the  Fogg's  Manor  Academy 
and  New  Jersey  College.  They  had  in  early  life  enjoyed  the 
ministry  of  such  men  as  Samuel  Finley,  Samuel  and  John 
Blair,  and  Mr.  Strain — men  of  a  thorough  evangelical  spirit. 
They  had  also,  in  early  life,  witnessed  and  enjoyed  powerful 
revivals  of  religion,  and  had  come  from  a  region  eminently 
blessed  with  frequent  outpourings  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  There 
was  also  a  remarkable  missionary  spirit  among  them  in  the 
Newcastle  Presbytery.  The  happy  reunion  that  had  taken 
place  between  the  Synods  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia, 
twenty-three  years  before  the  organization  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Redstone,  had  had  sufficient  time  to  work  out  its  blessed 
results,  and  to  restore  harmony  among  the  churches  in  that 
region,  whence  our  ministers  generally  came.  They  there- 
fore had  an  opportunity  to  imbibe  some  of  the  excellencies  of 
both  the  old  parties.  With  the  new  side,  they  were  revival 
men,  and  insisted  upon  strict  and  close  examination  on  the 
subject  of  personal  piety,  in  regard  to  applicants  for  admis- 
sion to  the  communion  of  the  Church,  and  especially  for 
admission  into  the  sacred  office  of  the  gospel  ministry.  They, 
with  the  old  side,  insisted  much  on  the  importance  of  doctri- 
nal and  catechetical  instruction,  and  of  thorough  education, 
as  far  as  practicable,  in  candidates  for  the  ministry.  They 
were  strict  disciplinarians,  and  held  in  the  highest  importance 
*  the  early  religious  training  of  children  and  youth.  They  were 
most  conscientious  observers  of  the  Sabbath,  and  of  family 


138  ZEALOUS    LAYMEN. 

worship,   morning   and   evening,   seldom    or  never   omitting 
either  reading  or  singing,  as  parts  of  that  duty. 

6.  When  they  entered  upon  their  respective  fields  of  labor, 
they  found  an  immense  amount  of  ignorance,  ungodliness, 
and  profanity,  sufficient  to  have  appalled  the  stoutest  heart. 
True,  there  were  scattered  through  most  of  their  churches 
some  very  pious  people.  But  many  had  grown  up  in  utter 
neglect  of  religion,  and  the  ordinances  of  God's  house.  But 
God  sustained  his  servants ;  according  to  their  day  was  their 
strength  afforded.  They  were  generally  blessed  with  vigo- 
rous health ;  and  so  were  their  families.  There  arose  also  a 
noble  race  of  laymen,  men  of  vigorous  intellect  and  of  devoted 
piety.  These  men  were  most  valuable  helps  to  our  ministers. 
Few  ministers  now,  perhaps,  have  such  sessions  as  were  found 
in  the  Presbytery,  eighty  years  ago.  Several  of  these  men 
had,  in  their  younger  days,  been  brought  into  the  communion 
of  the  Church  during  glorious  revivals  in  East  and  West  Not- 
tingham, in  Fagg's  Manor,  and  in  New  Jersey,  and  were 
thorough  revival  men.  We  have  mentioned  New  Jersey. 
Did  she  make  any  contribution  to  the  settlements  and  minis- 
ters of  the  West !  Yes — one  of  the  most  valuable  of  all  our 
early  settlements,  and  one  of  the  noblest  of  our  first  minis- 
ters.    We  will  now  introduce  them  to  the  reader. 


A  SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE 


REV.   THADDEUS  DOD 


The  soutli-western  part  of  Washington  County,  bordering 
on  Virginia,  embraces  a  fine  agricultural  region,  lying  on 
either  side  of  Ten-mile  Creek.  This  creek  was  so  named 
from  the  circumstance  of  its  entering  the  Monongahela  ten 
miles  above  Redstone  Creek.  At  an  early  period  in  the  set- 
tlement of  the  country,  this  section  attracted  the  notice  of 
emigrants  from  New  Jersey.  Two  respectable  elders  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  from  Morris  County,  of  that  State, 
removed  to  the  West  about  the  same  time  and  settled  on  the 
waters  of  Ten-mile.  Their  names  were  Jacob  Cook  and  De- 
mas  Lindley.  The  period  of  their  emigration  is  supposed  to 
have  been  as  early  as  1773.  Each  of  these  worthy  men 
drew  around  him,  in  a  short  time,  a  considerable  settlement, 
known  for  many  years  after  by  the  name  of  Cook's  Settle- 
ment and  Lindley's  Settlement.  Mr.  Lindley,  in  the  fall  and 
winter  of  1774-5,  erected  a  fort  and  Block-house  long  known 
by  his  name.  In  fact,  it  was  one  of  the  best  forts  and  most 
formidable  garrisons  between  the  Monongahela  and  Wheeling. 
Before  we  proceed  further,  it  may  be  as  well  to  afi'ord  the 
reader  some  idea  of  what  is  meant  by  a  Fort.  It  was  usually 
not  only  a  place  of  defence,  but  the  residence  of  a  small 
number  of  families  belonging  to  the  same  neighborhood.  As 
the  Indian  mode  of  warfare  was  an  indiscriminate  slaughter 

139 


140  A   SKETCH    OF   THE    LIFE    OF 

of  all  ages  and  both  sexes,  it  was  requisite  to  provide  for  the 
safety  of  the  women  and  children,  as  well  as  that  of  the  men. 
The  fort  consisted  of  cabins,  and  block-houses,  and  stockades. 
Divisions  or  partitions  of  logs  separated  the  cabins  from  each 
other.    The  walls  on  the  outside  were  ten  or  twelve  feet  high ; 
the  slope  of  the  roof  being  turned  wholly  inward.     A  very 
few  of  the  cabins  had  puncheon  floors.     The  greater  part 
were  earthen.     The  block-houses  were  built  at  the  angles  of 
the   fort.     They  projected  about  two  feet  beyond  the  outer 
walls  of  the  cabins  and  stockades ;  their  upper  stories  were 
about  eighteen  inches  larger  every  way  than  the  under  one, 
leaving  an  opening  where  the  second  story  began  to  prevent 
the  enemy  from  making  a  lodgment  under  the  walls.    In  some 
forts,  instead  of  block-houses,  the  angles  of  the  fort  were  fur- 
nished with  bastions.     A  large  folding  gate,  made  of  thick 
slabs,  on  the  side  nearest  the  spring,  closed  the  fort.     The 
stockades,  cabins,  bastions,  and  blockkouse-walls,  were  fur- 
nished with  port-holes  at  proper  heights  and  distances.     The 
whole  of  the  outside  was  made  completely  bullet-proof.     "It 
may  be  said,"  says  Mr.  Doddridge,   "that  necessity  is  the 
mother  of  invention ;  for  the  whole  of  this  work  was  made 
without  nails  or  a  single  spike  of  iron,  and  for  this  reason : 
such  things  were  not  to  be  had.    In  some  places  less  exposed, 
a  single  block-house,  with  a  cabin  or  two,  constituted  the 
whole  fort.     Such  places  of  refuge  may  appear  very  trifling 
to  those  who  have  been  in  the  habit  of  seeing  the  formidable 
military   garrisons   of    Europe    and   America.      But    they 
answered  the  purpose,  as  the  Indians  had  no  artillery.    They 
scarcely  ever  took  one  of  these  forts  when  the  inmates  were 
duly  apprised  of   an  intended  attack.     Into    such  forts  as 
these  did  our  early  ministers,  with  their  families,  sometimes 
flee.    There  they  preached  the  gospel ;  there,  sometimes,  the 
Spirit  of  God  was  poured  out,  and  precious  souls  were  born 
into  the  kingdom.     But  to  return  from  this  not  unnecessary 
digression :  such  a  fort  as  above  described  was  Mr.  Lindley's ; 


THE    REV.    TIIADDEUS    DOD.  141 

and  nowhere  In  the  West  >yas  one  more  required  or  more  ser- 
viceable. 

In  the  fall  of  177T,  the  Indians  had  made  a  most  formidable 
attack  on  Fort  Henry,  at  the  mouth  of  Wheeling  Creek. 
This  was  one  of  the  most  memorable  events  in  the  Border 
Warfare.  In  Howe's  Hist.  Coll.  of  Virginia,  p.  400,  a  thrill- 
ing narrative  of  that  affiiir,  taken  from  the  American  Pioneer, 
drawn  by  the  pen  of  Mr.  Kiernan,  may  be  found.  The  whole 
West,  for  weeks  and  months  together,  after  this  event,  was 
all  alive  with  almost  daily  expectation  of  savage  forays.  Only 
a  few  weeks  after,  and  while  in  and  around  Fort  Lindley  all 
was  apprehension  and  anxiety,  there  arrived  a  young  man  of 
sallow  complexion,  of  slender  form,  black  hair,  and  keen, 
penetrating,  dark  eyes,  not  unknown  to  some  of  the  inmates 
of  that  fort ;  and  his  arrival  gave  them  no  ordinary  joj.  It 
was  the  Rev.  Thaddeus  Dod.*  He  had  come  from  the  same 
state  and  county  whence  most  of  the  dwellers  in  the  garrison 
had  emigrated.  To  Mr.  Lindley  it  is  believed  he  was  well 
known.  We  are  altogether  incapable  of  entering  into  the 
feelings  of  that  little  forted  band.  Perhaps  they  had  not 
heard  for  months  from  their  native  place.  There  were  no 
mails  then.  Seldom  a  newspaper  reached  them.  The  pre- 
vious season  had  been  one  of  more  than  usual  hardship  and 
solicitude  to  them.  What  gladness  pervaded  many  a  heart 
that  day  of  his  arrival !  "  How  beautiful  upon  the  moun- 
tains," perhaps  they  would  exclaim,  "  are  the  feet  of  him  that 
bringeth  glad  tidings,  that  publisheth  peace  !" 

INIr.  Dod  had  been  ordained,  sine  titulo,  by  tie  Presbytery 
of  New  York,  in  view  of  his  purpose  of  emigrating  to  the 
West,  and  of  preaching  the  gospel  in  the  frontier  settlements. 
One  tradition  has  it  that  he  had  brought  his  family  with  him 
across  the  mountains ;  but  hearing,  no  doubt,  of  the  recent 
attack  on  Fort  Henry,  and  other  indications  of  increasing 
Indian   hostilities,  he  left  them   east  of  the    Monongahela. 

*  Mr.  Dod  had  been  out  a  few  weeks  in  the  early  part  of  the  summer. 


142  A   SKETCH    OF    THE   LIFE    OF 

If  this  is  correct,  it  is  probable  Mr.  Dod  had  passed  Mr. 
Power,  then  residing  at  Dunlap's  Creek  settlement,  on  his 
way ;  and  may  have  left  his  family  in  that  settlement,  though 
of  this  we  are  left  to  conjecture.* 

Entering  at  once  on  his  Master's  work,  he  preached  on  the 
following  Sabbath  in  the  fort,  and  administered  the  sacrament 
of  Baptism.  Several  children  were  baptised.  It  was  pro- 
bably the  first  time,  he  had  ever  administered  the  ordinance. 
At  any  rate  it  was  the  first  time  it  was  ever  administered 
there.  It  is  remembered  by  one  of  those  children  who  was 
then  a  little  boy,  standing  by  his  father's  side,  as  a  most 
solemn  and  melting  occasion.  He  afterwards  became  a 
minister  of  the  gospel,  and  believes  that  that  solemn  hour 
was  fraught  with  unspeakable  blessings  to  his  soul.  Mr.  Dod 
continued  to  preach  at  the  garrison  and  at  Cook's  settlement 
and  other  places,  as  he  had  opportunity — visiting  his  family 
occasionally.  There  is  an  impression  that  for  some  period, 
he  withdrew,  whether  with  or  without  his  family,  and  labored 
for  some  time  in  the  region  of  Springfield  and  Frankfort, 
east  of  the  mountains  in  Virginia.  The  statement  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  J.  Lindley  is,  that  in  1778,  he  brought  his  family 
over,  and  commenced  forming  congregations  —  one  called 
Lower  Ten-mile — the  other.  Upper  Ten-mile,  each  about  ten 
miles  from  Washington.  They  constituted,  however,  but  one 
church,  having  but  one  bench  of  elders,  amongst  whom, 
Messrs.  Lindley  and  Cook  were  prominent  members.  The 
former  was  a  descendant  of  the  Puritans.  One  of  his  distant 
forefathers  bad  accompanied  the  Rev.  John  Robinson,  when 
in  1608,  he  emigrated  from  England  to  Holland.  Francis 
Lindley  had  come  with  his  family  along  with  the  band  of 
pilgrims,  that  in  1620  landed  on  Plymouth  Rock.  It  is 
supposed  that  the  father  of  Demas  Lindley  emigrated  from 
New  England  to  Morris  County,  N.  J.  From  such  a  pious 
race  came  this  excellent  man,  who,  for  many  years,  occupied 

*  Since  the  above  was  written,  we  have  learned  that  he  brought  his 
family  no  further  than-  Patterson's  Creek,  Hampshire  County,  Ya. 


THE    REV.    TIIADDEUS    DOD.  143 

a  prominent  place  in  our  Western  Zion,  and  was  one  of  tlie 
first  magistrates  of  Washington  County.  Of  tlic  other, 
Jacob  Cook,  we  have  heard  less,  but  have  understood  that  he 
was  a  man  of  great  worth.  These  men,  and  several  others 
from  New  Jersey,  had  come  from  the  very  midst  of  the  spirit 
and  power  of  those  revivals  which  followed  the  labours  of 
Whitefield,  and  the  tenants  in  their  native  state.  With  such 
coadjutors,  but  infinitely  above  all,  with  the  presence  and 
blessing  of  God,  Mr.  Dod  entered  upon  his  most  trying  field 
of  labor.  In  many  respects  his  post  was  the  forlorn  hojyc. 
It  was  by  far  the  most  perilous  of  the  frontier  posts  of  our 
Western  Zion.  Indians  were  continually  making  inroads  upon 
that  region.  Yet  here  in  a  short  time  a  glorious  revival  took 
place  in  Lindley's  Fort,  and  more  than  forty  persons  were 
made  happy  in  believing. 

Mr.  Dod  settled  on  a  farm,  three  miles  from  the  fort. 
Near  the  fort,  some  years  after,  a  meeting-house  was  built  of 
hewn  logs.  Here,  under  the  protection  of  the  fort,  families 
could  step  out  and  w^orship  God,  without  fear  and  trembling. 
Much  of  the  preaching  before,  and  even  after,  the  building 
of  this  house  and  of  another  at  Amity,  was  at  private  houses. 
Dr.  Lindley  relates  that  "While  Mr.  Dod  was  preaching  in 
the  house  of  Caleb  Lindley,  in  the  year  1783  or  1784, 
tidings  came  that  the  Indians  had  murdered  a  family  of  the 
name  of  Death,  on  Wheeling  Creek,  some  eighteen  miles 
from  us.  Services  closed  immediately;  and  several  young 
men  promptly  started  with  their  guns  to  the  spot  of  the 
murder,  to  bury  the  dead,  or  to  follow  the  Indians,  if  practi- 
cable. Francis  Dunlavy,  I  know,  one  of  Mr.  Dod's  scholars, 
and  I  think  John  Brice,  started  in  this  company.  These 
young  men  started  on  the  run,  in  Indian  style  and  I  recollect 
Dunlavy  was  foremost."  This  incident  may  serve  to  illus- 
trate what  often  occurred  with  most  of  our  first  ministers, 
while  engaged  in  preaching  the  gospel. 

It  was  a  considerable  time  before  Mr.  Dod  and  his  session 
thought  it  advisable  to  administer  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 


144  A   SKETCH    OF   THE   LIFE   OF 

supper.  Different  times  had  been  thought  of;  Lui  it  was  still 
necessary,  as  he  briefly  noticed  in  his  Journal,  to  defer  it. 
At  length,  however,  such  a  season  was  enjoyed.  And  it  was 
the  harbinger  of  many  others.  Some  of  these  communion 
seasons  were  very  remarkable.  His  brethren,  Messrs.  Smith, 
M'Millan,  and  Power,  were  each  of  them  present,  on  different 
occasions.  He,  in  his  turn,  aided  them.  There  seem  to  have 
been  a  peculiar  intimacy  and  congeniality  of  spirit  between 
him  and  Mr.  Smith.  Whether  their  acquaintance  began  at 
Princeton,  we  do  not  know.  It  is  not  probable,  however,  for 
Mr.  Smith  had  graduated  in  1764,  and  Mr.  Dod  not  until 
1773.  They  were,  however,  baptised  into  one  spirit.  Yet 
they  appear  to  have  been  men  of  quite  different  temperaments. 
Mr.  Smith  was  a  Boanerges.  Mr.  Dod  was  a  "  Son  of  Con- 
solation." We  do  not  mean  that  there  was  any  tameness  of 
character  about  him.  He  was  a  thorough  revival  man,  in  the 
best  sense  of  the  expression.  His  preaching  was  with  great 
power,  in  the  demonstration  of  the  Spirit.  It  was  mighty, 
through  God,  to  the  pulling  down  of  the  strongholds  of  Satan. 
He  assisted  Mr.  Smith  at  Cross  Creek,  during  the  great  revi- 
val which  began  in  the  fall  of  1781,  as  is  noticed  in  the 
Western  Missionary  Magazine. 

Mr.  Dod  possessed  a  highly  cultivated  and  well-disciplined 
mind.  His  power  of  concentration^  and  of  holding  his  thoughts 
directly  upon  any  point  or  subject  of  investigation,  amidst 
any  amount  of  external  interruption,  was,  perhaps,  never  ex- 
ceeded. Not  only  was  he  an  accurate  classical  scholar, 
thoroughly  grounded  in  the  Latin,  Greek  and  Hebrew  lan- 
guages, but  he  was  an  excellent  mathematician.  In  this 
respect,  he  probably  excelled  all  his  brethren.  Whilst  there 
is  evidence,  in  the  few  fragments  of  his  writings  which  he 
has  left,  of  his  familiarity  with  the  original  languages  of 
Scriptifte,  there  are  still  living  witnesses  of  his  uncommon 
proficiency  in  the  sciences.  If  he  had  a  passion  for  any  de- 
partment of  human  knowledge,  we  are  inclined  to  believe, 
from  what  we  have  heard,  it  was  for  the  exact  sciences. 


THE    REV.    THADDEUS    DOD.  145 

A  more  clear-headed  and  skilful  mathematician  we  have, 
perhaps,  never  had  in  the  West.  "lie  was  the  only  man," 
says  one  of  his  pupils,  "that  I  have  met  with  who  could  ex- 
plain every  line  and  figure  on  Gunter's  scale."  lie  was  in 
the  practice  of  making  his  students  construct  for  themselves 
Gunter's  scales  out  of  dog-wood,  so  as  to  be  thoroughly  pre- 
pared, by  the  scale,  to  work  out  every  thing  belonging  to  sur- 
veying and  navigation.  No  wonder  the  late  Chief  Justice 
Kirkpatrick,  a  prominent  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees 
of  Princeton  College,  upon  a  young  man  of  the  name  of  Dod* 
being  nominated  to  the  vacant  chair  of  Mathematics,  remarked 
that  though  he  did  not  know  liim,  he  knew  Thaddeus  was  a 
good  mathematician,  and  he  believed  that  all  that  bore  the 
name  of  Dod  had  good  mathematical  heads.  He  was  willing 
to  support  the  nomination  just  made,  or  words  to  that  effect. 

But  we  are  anticipating  a  little.  We  ought  to  have  men- 
tioned that  Mr.  Dod,  soon  after  his  settlement  in  the  West, 
joined  to  his  more  delightful  employment  of  preaching  the 
gospel,  the  office  of  an  instructor  of  youth.  This  was  more 
or  less  the  case  with  all  our  first  ministers.  It  was  a  matter 
of  necessity.  But  the  Lord  greatly  blessed  them  in  this  im- 
portant work. 

In  1781,  Mr.  Dod's  neighbors,  with  one  consent,  turned 
out  and  put  up  a  Log  Academy,  considerably  lai»ger  than  any 
dwellinfr-house  then  in  the  neiojhborhood.  The  interest  taken 
by  the  settlement  in  the  enterprise  reflects  great  credit  upon 
them,  in  view  of  the  trying  times  in  which  they  lived.  They 
consisted,  indeed,  of  many  persons  considerably  in  advance 
of  the  Scotch-Irish,  in  point  of  education.  They  had  brought 
their  New  Jersey  and  New  England  tastes  with  them.  From 
a  very  early  period,  they  loved  good  taste  in  public  speaking, 
and  in  church  music.  Fifty  years  ago,  better  singing  could 
be  heard  at  Upper  and  Lower  Ten-mile  than  any  where  in 
Washington  County. 

*  We  have  since  learned  that  it  was  the  late  lamented  Professor  Dod. 
10 


146  A   SKETCH    OF   THE    LIFE    OF 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Moore  ^vas  one  of  Mr.  Dod's  successors 
in  Upper  Ten-mile — a  man  of  highly  cultivated  intellect,  and 
of  a  refined  and  abstract  style  of  preaching,  that  could  only 
have  been  relished  by  a  people  of  considerable  mental  im- 
provement. W6  mention  this  fact,  at  present,  merely  as 
evidence  that  there  was  nothing  strange  in  Mr.  Dod's  people 
taking  so  earnest  an  interest  in  getting  up  a  first-rate  classi- 
cal and  scientific  school.  There  was  a  department  in  this 
school,  it  is  true,  for  the  more  elementary  branches.  But  its 
main  character  was  as  stated.  Here,  in  1782,  began  the  first 
classical  and  scientific  school  in  the  West. 

In  the  course  of  a  year  or  two,  James  Hughes,  John  Brice, 
Robert  Marshall,  John  Hanna,  Daniel  Lindley,  Jacob  Lind- 
ley,  David  Smith,  and  Francis  Dunlavy,  (who  all  became  min- 
isters of  the  gospel,)  some  of  them  quite  small,  began  their 
studies,  partly  in  English,  and  partly  in  Latin  and  Mathe- 
matics. There  were  also  several  boys  who  afterwards  became 
eminent  men  in  various  walks  of  secular  life,  who  were  here 
trained,  especially  in  the  sciences.  Some  of  them  became 
first-rate  surveyors.  Among  them  may  be  mentioned  Daniel 
M'Farland,  Joseph  Eddy  and  Thomas  Stokely.  M'Farland, 
with  his  father,  and  Stokely,  were  amongst  the  most  eminent 
land  speculators  we  ever  had  in  the  West.  Two  of  those  in 
the  first  list -we  mentioned,  afterwards  pursued  their  studies 
with  Mr.  Smith,  when,  in  the  fall  of  1785,  he  opened  the 
Latin  School,  called  "The  Study,"  designed  more  particu- 
larly and  exclusively  for  training  young  men  for  the  gospel 
ministry.  These  young  men,  being  of  Mr.  Smith's  pastoral 
charge,  were  probably  led  to  change  their  school,  more  from 
motives  of  convenience  and  economy  than  any  thing  else. 

In  view  of  the  facts  above  stated,  we  are  now  led  to  believe 
that  Mr.  Dod  justly  claims  the  precedence,  in  his  efi*orts  to 
promote  the  cause  of  education ;  while  Mr.  Smith's  school  at 
Buffalo  may  have  been  the  first  with  a  more  special  and  ex- 
clusive reference  to  the  training  of  young  men  for  the  service 
of  the  church.     Soon  after,  the  "Study"  at  Buffalo  was/o^ 


y 


THE   REV.    TIIADDEUS    DOD.  147 

lowed  by  the  "Log  Cabin,"  at  Chartiers.  For  most  of  those 
with  Mr.  Smith,  and  some  who  had  been  with  Mr.  Dod,  went 
over  to  Dr.  McMillan's  school,  and  composed  a  part  of  those 
with  whom,  he  informs  us,  (giving  their  names,)  liis  scJiool 
began.  Of  this  further  notice  will  be  taken  in  the  life  of  Dr. 
M'Millan. 

What  portion  of  his  time  Mr.  Dod  gave  to  instruction  in 
his  school,  we  cannot  tell.  Ilis  pastoral  field  was  large,  and 
required  and  received  his  diligent  attention.  He  was  likewise 
appointed  by  the  Presbytery  to  supply  various  destitute  set- 
tlements, especially  Muddy  Creek  and  the  South  Fork  of 
Ten-mile.  Several  gracious  outpourings  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
were  afforded  to  Ten-mile,  during  Mr.  Dod's  ministry.  In 
the  Western  Missionary  Magazine  for  September,  1803,  it  is 
expressly  stated  that  while  the  gracious  work  was  going  on  iu 
Cross  Creek,  Upper  Buffalo,  Chartiers  and  Pigeon  Creek, 
"  The  Lord  also  poured  out  his  spirit,"  particularly  on 
Bethel  and  Lebanon,  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  John 
Clark,  and  on  "  Ten-mile,  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev. 
Thaddeus  Dod.'' 

On  the  20th  of  January,  1789,  Mr.  Dod  was  appointed 
the  first  Princijycd  of  Washington  Academy,  at  Washington, 
Pennsylvania,  which  Academy  had  been  incorporated  by  the 
Legislature  of  Pennsylvania,  September  24th,  1787,*  and 
was  afterwards,  in  1806,  merged  into  Washington  College. 

This  appointment  evinces  the  high  estimation  in  which  his 
literary  and  scientific  qualifications  were  held.  But  in  con- 
sequence of  the  loss  of  the  building  by  firef  in  which  this 
school  at  Washington  wafe  held,  Mr.  Dod,  who  had  removed 
with  his  family  to  Washington,  returned  again  to  Ten-mile 
and  resumed  his  former  employments.    There  seems  no  doubt, 

*  Having  an  endowment,  also,  of  5000  acres  of  land. 

t  It  was  the  old  Courthouse,  that  had  been  converted  into  an  academy 
or  schoolhouse.  By  this  fire  Mr.  Dod  lost  a  number  of  valuable  books  ; 
a  serious  disaster  to  a  minister  at  that  early  period. 


148  A   SKETCH    OF   THE   LIFE    OF 

that  had  it  not  been  for  this  Providential  occurrence,  —  the 
temporary  suspension  of  the  Washington  School,  —  it  would 
have  speedily  risen  to  a  high  eminence,  and  would  have  super- 
seded and  prevented  altogether  the  movement  soon  afterwards 
made  to  get  up  the  Academy  at  Canonsburg.  Our  ministers, 
generally,  and  some  pf  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  the 
West,  were,  up  to  this  time,  looking  to  Washington.  Dr. 
M'Millan,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  John  Corbley,  the  eminent  Baptist 
minister  of  Muddy  Creek,  and  several  others,  were  either 
trustees  of  Washington  Academy,  or  warmly  enlisted  in  its 
interests.  And  Mr.  Dod  was  the  man  whom  they  had  chosen 
to  conduct  it.  But  God  seeth  not  as  man  seeth.  He  had 
other  purposes  to  accomplish ;  and  his  devoted  servant,  Dod, 
was  not  to  finish  his  life  in  Washington.  His  few  remaining 
days  were  to  be  spent  in  the  field  to  which  God  had  at  first 
called  him.  And  here  he  labored  till  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred May  20th,  1793.  When  he  found  his  sickness  was 
unto  death,  he  said  "  I  must  examine  carefully  the  ground  of 
my  hope.  I  may  deceive  myself:  the  heart  is  very  deceitful, 
and  Satan  is  very  subtle ;"  or  words  to  that  effect.  After 
remaining  for  a  considerable  time  engaged,  apparently,  in 
thorough  self-examination  and  in  prayer,  his  countenance  was 
observed,  at  length,  to  grow  radiant  with  joy.  The  first  utter- 
ance he  gave  was  "0,  I  am  so  glad  I  was  born  to  die !" 
Other  expressions,  not  now  remembered,  followed.  As  he  lay 
with  his  face  towards  the  wall,  he  was  heard  to  say  "  Ha  !  I 
expected  you;  but  you  may  go  back."  Mr.  Carmichael,  his 
elder,  here  asked  him  what  he  meant.  He  said  that  he  had 
just  experienced  an  assault  of  the  fiery  darts  of  Satan,  but 
that  he  was  quickly  relieved.  Mr.  C.  asked  him,  "  Can  you 
now  bear  your  dying  testimony  to  the  gospel  you  have  preached 
to  us  ?" — "  Yes,  I  can  !"  he  promptly  replied.  In  this  happy 
frame  his  spirit  winged  its  flight-  to  its  Everlasting  Best. 
"  The  path  of  the  just  is  as  the  shining  light  that  shineth 
more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day." 

Mr.  Dod  preached  the  opening  sermon  at  the  first  organiza- 


THE    REV.    THADDEUS   DOD.  149 

tion  of  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone,  in  1781,  from  Job  xlii. 
5,  6.  lie  lived  till  a  few  months  before  its  last  undivided 
meeting,  in  1703.  He  was  one  of  its  brightest  ornaments, 
and  was  indeed  a  chosen  vessel  of  the  Lord.  He  survived 
his  brother,  Smith,  only  about  thirteen  months.  They  were 
first  called  to  die,  as  they  had  lived,  for  their  Master.  And 
now  of  that  little  band  of  four  ministers,  with  which  the  Pres- 
bytery was  formed,  half  were  gone.  But  already  the  Pres- 
bytery had  grown  to  a  large  size,  and  were  just  about  to  be 
divided  into  two  presbyteries. 

Mr.  Dod,  beside  his  other  natural  and  acquired  gifts,  was 
possessed  of  considerable  poetic  powers;  and  had  he  culti- 
vated his  genius  in  this  respect,  it  would  have  attained  to  some 
distinction.  He  thus  presented  the  rare  and  almost  incredible 
combination  of  mathematical  talent,  classical  taste,  and  poetic 
imagination.  But  Christian,  deeply  devout  and  spiritual,  was 
his  highest  style.  He  was  a  man  of  modest,  humble,  yet  pre- 
possessing manners.  As  he  possessed  an  uncommon  memory 
and  great  acuteness  of  mind,  he  must  have  been  a  most  agree- 
able companion.  His  pupils  held  him  in  the  highest  respect, 
and  he  had  the  happy  faculty  of  infusing  into  those  who  were 
capable  of  it,  an  intense  love  of  science  and  literature.  When 
we  consider  his  various  traits  of  character,  and  the  very  re- 
markable combination  of  talents  found  in  him,  we  cannot  but 
admire  the  orderings  of  Providence  that  assigned  to  such  a 
man  such  a  perilous  and  self-denying  charge.  Often  were 
he  and  his  family  driven  to  the  neighboring  fort  by  the  savages 
of  the  wilderness.  In  one  instance,  during  Mr.  D.'s  absence, 
Mrs.  Dod  and  her  little  children,  upon  the  alarm  of  approach- 
ing Indians,  fled  and  concealed  themselves,  for  several  hours, 
amongst  the  high  weeds  in  an  adjoining  ground.  They  were 
thus  concealed,  if  we  remember  rightly,  upon  Mr.  Dod's 
return ;  and  either  it  proved  a  false  alarm,  or  the  Indians  had 
taken  another  direction.  Here  often  was  he  compelled  also 
to  leave  them  exposed  when  engaged  in  supplying  distant  con- 
gregations !     But  the  Almighty  arm  of  a  Covenant  God  was 


150  A   SKETCH   OF   THE   LIFE   OP 

over  him  and  his.  Yet  an  eminent  servant  of  God,  John 
Corblej,  a  Baptist  minister,  settled  in  a  comparatively  adja- 
cent settlement,  with  whom  Mr.  Dod  appears  to  have  lived 
on  terms  of  much  Christian  fellowship,  and  who  was  fre- 
quently with  him  at  Lindley's  Fort,  was  called  to  a  severe 
trial,  which  must  have  awakened  the  tenderest  sensibilities  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dod.  The  following  narrative  was  given  by 
Mr.  Corbley,  in  a  letter  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Rogers,  of  Philadel- 
phia, in  the  year  1T85  : 

"  On  the  second  Sabbath  of  May  in  the  year  1T82,  being 
by  appointment,  at  one  of  my  meeting-houses,  about  a  mile 
from  my  dwelling-house,  I  set  out  with  my  dear  wife  and 
five  children,  for  public  worship.  Not  suspecting  any  danger, 
I  walked  behind  200  yards,  with  my  Bible  in  my  hand,  medi- 
tating ;  as  I  was  thus  employed,  all  on  a  sudden,  I  was  greatly 
alarmed  with  the  frightful  shrieks  of  my  dear  family  before 
me.  I  immediately  ran  with  all  the  speed  I  could,  vainly 
hunting  a  club  as  I  ran,  till  I  got  within  40  yards  of  them. 
My  poor  wife,  seeing  me,  cried  to  me,  to  make  my  escape. 
An  Indian  ran  up  to  shoot  me.  I  then  fled,  and  by  so  doing, 
outran  him.  My  wife  had  a  sucking  child  in  her  arms. 
This  little  infant  they  killed  and  scalped.  They  then  struck 
my  wife  several  times,  but  not  getting  her  down,  the  Indian 
who  aimed  to  shoot  me,  ran  to  her,  shot  her  through  the 
body,  and  scalped  her.  My  little  boy,  an  only  son,  about 
six  years  old,  they  sunk  the  hatchet  into  his  brains,  and  thus 
dispatched  him.  A  daughter,  besides  the  infant,  they  also 
killed  and  scalped.  My  eldest  daughter,  who  is  yet  alive,  was 
hid  in  a  tree  about  20  yards  from  the  place  where  the  rest 
were  killed,  and  saw  the  whole  proceedings.  She,  seeing  the 
Indians  all  go  off,  as  she  thought,  got  up  and  deliberately 
crept  out  of  the  hollow  trunk ;  but  one  of  them  espying  her, 
ran  hastily  up,  knocked  her  down  and  scalped  her ;  also  her 
only  surviving  sister,  on  whose  head  they  did  not  leave  more 
than  an  inch  round  either  of  flesh  or  of  skin,  besides  tuking 


THE    REV.    TIIADDEUS    DOD.  151 

a  piece  of  her  skull.  She  and  the  aforementioned  one  are 
still  miraculously  preserved;  though  as  you  must  tliink,  I 
have  had  and  still  have,  a  great  deal  of  trouble  and  expense 
■with  them,  besides  anxiety  about  them  ;  insomuch  that  as  to 
worldly  circumstances,  I  am  almost  ruined.  I  am  yet  in 
hopes  of  seeing  them  cured.  They  still,  blessed  be  God, 
retain  their  senses,  not^^vithstanding  the  painful  operations 
they  have  already  and  must  yet  pass  through. 

["  Muddy  Creek, 
Washington  County,  July  8,  1788."] 

Such  a  horrid  scene  thus  occurring  but  a  little  distance,  as 
in  those  days  accounted,  from  Mr.  Dod  and  his  family,  must 
have  been  a  severe  trial  to  their  faith,  and  have  driven  them 
nearer  to  the  overshadowing  Wings. 

It  would  have  aflforded  us  great  satisfaction  to  give  some 
extracts  from  Mr.  Dod's  diary,  in  which  he  portrays  the 
nature  of  his  early  Christian  experience.  It  is  in  the  hands 
of  his  son,  the  Rev.  Cephas  Dod,  the  senior  pastor  of  Amity, 
or  Lower  Ten-mile ;  who,  it  is  hoped,  will  give  it  to  the  public 
in  connexion  with  a  more  extended  memoir  of  his  excellent 
father ;  on  which,  it  is  understood,  he  is  now  engaged.  Many 
important  particulars  we  have  been  unable  to  give  in  this 
paper,  for  want  of  the  materials  which  are  in  the  hands  of 
his  son ;  and  we  could  neither  with  propriety  ask  him  to  sur- 
render them  to  us,  nor  wait  for  the  use  of  his  memoir,  without 
delaying  our  progress  in  the  preparation  of  this  work  for  the 
press.  We  may  have  fallen  into  errors  in  several  particulars. 
We  are  indebted  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Jacob  Lindley,  William 
Darby,  Esq.,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  William  Wylie,  for  the  larger 
portion  of  materials  of  the  foregoing  sketch.  Two  of  them 
were  his  pupils,  and  were  well  acquainted  with  him. 

Since  the  above  was  written  we  have  been  favored  with  the 
perusal  of  what  Dr.  Cephas  Dod  has  written  of  his  father, 
and  are  glad  to  find  no  serious  discrepancy  in  our  respective 
accounts  of  this  dear  servant  of  God. 


CHAPTER  V. 

HOUSES   OP   WORSHIP,    SACRAMENTAL    SEASONS,    STOVES   AND 
BAPTISxM,    CATECHISING,    ETC. 

FoK  many  years  the  people  in  Western  Pennsylvania  were 
compelled  to  construct  houses  of  worship  of  a  very  humble 
and  unpretending  character.  Nor  were  they  liable  to  the 
charge  of  dwelling  in  ceiled  houses,  w^hile  the  house  of  the 
Lord  lay  waste.  Their  own  dwellings  were  generally  log 
cabins.  In  many  instances,  newly  married  couples  boldly 
ventured  into  this  perilous  region,  and  commenced  their  new 
life  in  log  cabins,  amidst  hardships,  dangers  and  privations 
which  few  in  our  day  would  be  willing  to  encounter.  Their 
dwellings,  in  many  instances,  were  of  the  humblest  descrip- 
tion, and  their  fixtures  inside  and  out  corresponded.  The  man 
who,  in  Fayette  County,  erected  a  good  two-story  house  of 
hewn  logs,  immortalized  himself;  and  the  place  was  known 
for  fifty  years  afterwards  as  "the  high  house,"  even  when 
other  dwellings,  all  around,  towered  above  it,  in  every  sense. 

They  early  bestirred  themselves  to  do  what  they  could  in 
erecting  meeting-houses.  These  were  also  but  cabins  of  a 
larger  size.  The  pompous  formalities  of  laying  corner-stones, 
or  of  a  dedication  service,  were  innovations  of  more  ambitious 
times.  How  far  these  things,  and  the  introduction  of  organs, 
&c.,  are  consistent  with  the  principles  of  Presbyterianism,  and 
the  genius  and  simplicity  of  the  Christian  dispensation,  might 
be  a  subject  for  serious  consideration,  leading  even  good  men 
to  very  opposite  conclusions.  The  second  set  of  churches 
were  still  but  log  houses — thouo^h  the  loors  were  hewn,  and 
with  a  good  shingle  roof  over  them. 

As  the  settlements  grew,  and  their  meetings  became  more 
thronged,  their  houses  could  not   comfortably  accommodate 

(152) 


HOUSES  OF  WORSHIP.  153 

the  people — during  the  summer  especiallj,  on  sacramental 
occasions.  Many  congregations,  during  the  whole  summer, 
when  the  weather  was  pleasant,  worshipped  in  groves.  These 
groves  were  commonly  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the 
churches.  Usually  a  hill-side  was  selected,  where  the  trees 
were  large  and  free  from  undergrowth.  A  platform,  six  or  eight 
feet  wide  and  ten  or  twelve  feet  long,  was  erected,  about  four 
feet  from  the  ground,  on  the  upper  side.  This  was  boarded 
up  a  few  feet  above  the  platform,  having  an  open  doorway,  or 
place  of  entrance.  At  the  back,  on  the  lower  side,  the  board- 
ing extended  much  higher,  and  was  connected  with  the  roof, 
or  covering,  sloping  oflf  from  the  front.  This  tent,  as  it  was 
called,  was  usually  placed  some  distance  down  the  hill-side, 
on  descending  ground ;  seats  of  logs,  or  slabs,  were  arranged 
in  front  of  the  tent,  along  up  the  side  of  the  hill  for  some 
distance,  spreading  off  considerably  to  the  right  and  left  of 
this  tent-pulpit.  Usually  a  long  log,  hewn  only  on  the  upper 
side,  extended  from  near  the  pulpit,  directly  up  through  the 
area  of  the  seats.  This  was  elevated  about  the  common  height 
of  a  table,  supported  sometimes  by  straddling  legs,  but  most 
generally  by  blocks  of  wood.  On  either  side  were  similar 
logs,  but  much  lower,  for  seats,  placed  suflficiently  far  from 
the  higher,  or  table-logs,  as  to  give  room  for  walking  between 
them.  Sometimes,  also,  two  other  log-tables,  with  their  seats 
diverged  at  right  angles,  to  the  right  and  left,  all  converging 
to  a  point  some  six  or  eight  feet  in  front  of  the  pulpit,  but 
leaving  sufficient  room  for  an  ordinary  walnut  or  deal  table 
to  occupy  the  point  of  convergence,  and  to  have  free  passage 
around.*  These  log  tables  were  occupied  exclusively  by  com- 
municants, during  the  progress  of  that  solemn  service.  Be- 
fore that  service  began,  and  at  other  times,  they  served  as  a. 
'part  of  the  ordinary  sitting. 

A  passing  stranger,  if  not  altogether  a  heathen  or  a  publi- 
can, would  readily  recognise  the  sacramental  sabbath  by  ob- 

*  More  frequently,  perhaps,  two  log  tables,  parallel  to  each  other,  ran 
up  in  front. 


154  EARLY   SACRAMENT   IN   THE   WOODS. 

serving  these  extended  log  tables,  covered  with  snowy  linen, 
all  radiating  from  the  large  common  table,  containing  the 
vessels  of  the  sacred  symbols,  and  all  covered  with  white  nap- 
kins. The  *' tout-ensemble"  was  strikingly  picturesque.  The 
seats  were,  of  course,  without  backs,  except  where  the  trees 
furnished  that  luxury ;  and  such  choice  seats  were  reserved 
for  aged  ladies  and  the  infirm. 

Let  the  reader  now  endeavor  to  fall  back  in  fancy  to  these 
early  times ;  and  to  conceive  himself,  on  some  beautiful  sab- 
bath morning,  approaching  such  a  scene.  He  sees,  perhaps, 
a  few  cleared  fields,  in  most  of  which  the  deadened  timber  is 
still  standing ;  but  the  greater  part  of  the  landscape  is  the 
leafy  forest — we  say  leafy,  for  w^e  will  suppose  it  is  early  in 
the  month  of  June,  and  all  nature  is  glowing  in  the  freshness 
of  early  summer.  The  music  of  the  feathered  tribe,  heard 
through  the  woods,  blended  with  the  occasional  tinkling  of 
cow-bells,  is  grateful  to  his  ears,  and  in  harmony  with  the  day 
and  the  scene.  By  some  turn  in  his  road,  a  full  view  along 
the  hill-side  of  the  scene  around  the  tent  opens  before  him. 
The  people  are  assembling  from  all  directions — many  on 
horseback,  more  on  foot.  Neither  gig,  nor  barouche,  nor 
buggy,  nor  carryall  is  seen.  Such  means  of  conveyance  were 
unknown  in  those  days.  Some  are  seen  on  the  ground,  or 
on  the  logs,  putting  on  their  stockings  and  shoes — for  they 
have  walked  many  miles  barefoot,  carrying  these  articles 
wrapped  in  their  kerchiefs,  m  their  hands.  This  circum- 
stance engages  his  attention  but  for  a  moment.  He  sees  the 
gathering  crowds  pouring  in,  from  all  directions,  towards  the 
tent.  He  hears  the  continual  neighing  of  horses,  some  near, 
and  some  afar  off.  Perhaps  he  distinguishes,  especially,  the 
louder  and  peculiar  tone  of  some  old  equine  Nestor,  that  ap- 
proaches, in  its  depth  and  grandeur,  to  the  sublime.  If  Dr. 
Allison,  in  his  delightful  w^ork  on  Taste,  has  taught  us  to 
notice  the  sublimity  of  the  distant  lowing  of  cattle  in  the  still- 
ness of  a  summer  evening — what  would  he  have  said  of  the 
neighing  of  horses,  blended  with  the  repose  of  the  sabbath 


CHARACTER    OF    THE    SERVICES.  155 

landscape,  spread  around  the  stirring  scenes  of  a  communion 
season  amidst  our  early  western  forests. 

We  will  suppose  tlie  reader  looks  around  on  earth  and  hea- 
ven. Upward,  all  is  bright  and  sunny.  A  single  hawk  or 
eagle  is  perhaps  far  up  in  the  skies,  slowly  wheeling  in  his 
gyrations,  and  seeming,  if  possible,  to  share  in  the  gladness 
of  the  general  scene.  The  vast  assembly  gradually  gather 
round  the  spot  appropriated  to  the  solemnities  of  that  ghjrious 
day.  They  all  become,  at  length,  quietly  seated.  After  a 
short  pause,  he  sees  the  men  all  uncovering  their  heads,  and 
the  whole  assembly  rising  to  their  feet;  for  the  minister  has 
risen  in  the  tent,  come  forward  to  its  front,  and  spread  his 
hands  in  token  of  prayer.  Then  the  psalm  succeeds;  and 
oh,  what  singing  was  there  !  Messrs.  Mason  and  Hastings 
would  have  been  scandalized,  perhaps  ;  but  Professor  Silliman, 
who  was  so  delighted  with  the  universal  outburst  in  the  Tron 
Church,  when  he  was  in  Scotland,  would  have  been  in  rap- 
tures, had  he  heard  the  notes  of  praise  that  swelled  up  through 
the  umbrageous  forests  around  an  early  western  sacramental 
scene,  and  made  all  the  welkin  ring  ;  for  those  old-fashioned 
people  had  understood  in  a  literal  sense  the  Psalmist,  "  Let 
the  people  praise  thee,  let  all  the  people  praise  thee."  Ano- 
ther longer  prayer,  another  psalm,  and  then  the  sermon — but 
we  will  not  task  the  reader  further.  Let  him,  in  fancy,  sit 
and  hear  the  successive  services  of  that  long  summer  day. 
Let  him  witness  those  long  tables,  successively  filled  and 
vacated  four,  five,  six,  and  sometimes  seven  times,  by  the 
approaching  and  retreating  crowd  of  communicants.  The 
communion  seasons  of  our  fathers  were,  from  an  early  period, 
exceedingly  interesting.  The  Thursday  preceding  was  com- 
monly observed  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer.  And  there 
was  always  public  worship  on  Saturday  and  Monday,  in  con- 
nexion with  these  occasions.  The  ministers,  of  course,  aided 
each  other ;  and  many  people  from  surrounding  congregations 
and  distant  settlements  attended.  The  families  residing  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  place  were  usually  thronged  with  lodgers. 


156  THE    GOOD    EFFECTS. 

Though  there  was  much,  in  all  the  circumstances  of  these 
meetings,  calculated  to  produce  a  species  of  religious  dissipa- 
tion, we  cannot  but  believe  they  were  eminently  profitable 
and  refreshing  seasons,  and  greatly  aided  in  extending  the 
influence  of  the  gospel  throifgh  those  early  settlements.    The 
extension  of  the  services   through   several   successive   days 
contributed   to    suspend   or  lighten   the    influence   of  their 
worldly  cares,  and  to  break  up,  for  a  time,  their  anxieties  and 
all  their  little  petty  vexations  of  domestic  life.     They  pro- 
moted, also,  Christian  friendship,  and  enlarged  the  sphere  of 
their  social  intercourse  and  of  their  Christian   sympathies. 
They  paved  the  way  for  many  happy  marriages  and  many 
auspicious  nuptials.     Above  all,  they  proved  seasons  of  spe- 
cial intercourse  with  heaven,  and  of  foretaste  of  its  joys,  to 
many  of  those  greatly  tried  and  often  sorrowing  Christians 
who,  in  their  frontier  life,  were  frequently  in  heaviness  through 
manifold  temptations.    It  is  worthy  of  special  notice,  also,  that 
a  very  large  proportion  of  those  who  were  brought  from  dark- 
ness to  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God — traced 
their  first  religious  impressions  to  these  sacramental  seasons. 
The  taste  and  usages  of  modern  days  have  formed  us  to  habits 
that  would  make  us  feel  dissatisfied  with  the  tedious  length 
of  the  services  on  those  occasions.     We  would  be  apt  to  ex- 
claim "What  a  weariness  is  it!"     But  our  forefathers  felt 
not  so.    They  would  be  as  much  disgusted  at  the  brevity  with 
which  such  services  are  hurried  over  in  many  places  now-a-days. 
Whether  there  is  not  too  great  a  disposition  to  conform  to  the 
taste  and  wishes  of  an  ungodly  world  in  respect  to  the  length 
of  sermons  and  sacramental  services  in  our  day,  merits  serious 
enquiry.     The  far  greater  frequency  of  communion  seasons 
now,  compared  with  those  of  early  times,  is  not,  we  are  aware, 
to  be  left  out  of  view ;  and  perhaps  justifies  a  much  greater  bre- 
vity in  all  the  exercises  than  was  then  practised.     In  this,  as 
in  most  other  things,  in  medio  tutissimus  ibis  is  a  wise  direc- 
tion.    Even   their  ordinary  services  were  more  protracted. 
We  must  remember,  also,  that  throughout  the  entire  winter 


STOVES    IN   CHURCHES.  157 

tlielr  houses  were  without  stoves  or  any  fire.  It  was  not  till 
ten  or  twelve  years  after  the  ohl  Presbytery  of  Rudatone 
hehl  its  last  meeting  at  Long  Run,  in  1793,  that  stoves  were 
introduced.  And  it  was  not  without  great  opposition,  even 
from  some  physicians.  The  attempt  to  introduce  fire  into 
meeting-houses  produced,  in  some  places,  even  a  greater  com- 
motion  than    the    introduction    of   Dr.  AVatts'    Psalms    and 

Hymns. 

We  have  spoken  of  the  communion  season  during  the  ear- 
lier history  of  our  ministers  and  churches  in  Western  Penn- 
sylvania.    For  many  years,  it  was  not  usual  to  administer  the 
Lord's   Supper  more  than  twice  a  year,  and,  indeed,  gene- 
rally, as  the  ministers  had  more  than  one  pastoral  charge, 
only  once  in  each  congregation.     But  a  very  large  proportion 
of  all  the  members  of  their  whole  charge  attended ;  riding,  or 
walking,  as  many  were  compelled  to  do,  ten  or  fifteen  miles. 
The  sermon  on  the  fast-day  (which  was  usually  the  previous 
Thursday)  was  generally  long,  and  was  a  prayerfully  prepared 
and  affecting  exhibition  of  the  grounds  and  reasons  for  humi- 
liation and  prayer.     In  early  times,  the  services  on  this  day 
were  well  attended ;  the  congregations  were  usually  quite  as 
large  as  on  ordinary  Sabbaths.     There  is  no  doubt  that  this 
usage  was  well  suited  to  the  state  and  character  of  those 
times,  and  greatly  promoted  the  piety  and  spirituality  of  the 
churches,  and  prepared  them  to  ascend  the  mount  of  ordi- 
nances on  the   ensuing   Sabbath,  and  to  draw  near  to  God. 
If  the  exercises  on  that  day,  and  indeed  during  the  entire 
solemn  convocation,  would  appear  to  us  protracted  to  tedious- 
ness,  they  harmonized  with  the  perhaps  better  tastes  and  feel- 
ings of  our  fathers.     We  may  have  gone  farther  than  we  are 
aware  into  an  opposite  extreme,  paring  and  clipping  away 
many  things,  which,  if  not  essential,  are  highly  appropriate 
and  edifying.     It  is  to  be  feared  that,  in  these  matters,  minis- 
ters are  tempted  to  consult  a  worldly  policy,  and  to  regard 
with  too  much  deference  the  tastes  and  wishes  of  impenitent 
men,  especially  if  they  happen  to  be  wealthy  pew-holders. 


158  FENCING  THE  TABLES. 

Where  weariness  begins,  it  is  true,  edification  ends.  But 
Dr.  Nesbit's  sarcastic  remark,  "lang  sermons  are  a  great 
affliction  to  the  ungodly,"  is  also  true.  A  good  deal  of  what 
we  complain  of  and  protest  against,  has,  perhaps,  been  intro- 
duced into  our  Church  by  those  who  never  were  thorough 
Presbyterians  ;  and  though  we  have  been  graciously  delivered 
from  this  alarming  source  of  innovation  and  mischief,  it  has 
never  yet,  perhaps,  been  sufficiently  ascertained  how  many 
"notions"  are  still  permitted  to  remain,  to  the  scandal  of  the 
Church,  and  to  the  keeping  up  of  a  fastidious  dislike  of  our 
old-fashioned  Presbyterian  usages.  Our  forefathers  were  pro- 
bably inclined  to  be  prolix.  The  people,  however,  were  satis- 
fied. They  would  have  been  greatly  pained  at  the  way  in 
which  matters  are  often  conducted  on  these  "high  days"  of 
the  Church  of  God. 

The  action  sermons,  as  they  were  called,  on  communion 
Sabbaths,  were  generally  preached  by  the  pastors  or  resident 
ministers ;  this  was  considered  peculiarly  proper.  And  we 
must  remember  that  perhaps  fully  one-half  of  the  audience 
were  not  his  ordinary  hearers.  Then  followed  what  was 
called  fencing  the  tables.  This  was  often  tedious,  occupying 
an  hour  or  more.  Not  unfrequently  there  was  a  regular 
review  of  all  the  sins  forbidden  in  each  of  the  ten  command- 
ments. And  it  was  remarked  by  the  profane,  that  the 
preacher  never  stopped  till  he  had  solemnly  debarred  from 
the  ordinance  every  one  of  his  people,  and  himself  to  boot. 
Our  old  ministers,  however,  seldom  indulged  in  such  length- 
ened details  as  the  seceders  were  said  to  be  in  the  practice  of 
doing,  forbidding  and  debarring  various  classes  of  offenders, 
that  were  not  to  be  found  among  them,  such  as  stage-players 
and  visitants  of  theatres ;  and  yet  it  must  be  confessed  that, 
too  often,  our  venerable  fathers  took  this  occasion  to  pour  out 
a  great  deal  "  de  omnibus  rebus,  et  quibusdem  aliis."  There 
are  few  ministers  now,  in  this  section  of  the  Church,  includ- 
ing our  brethren  of  the  secession,  who  would  not  subscribe  to 
the  sound  and  judicious  views  of  Dr.  Dick,  in  his  lectures  on 
theology :, 


DR.    dick's   views    ABOUT    IT.  159 

^''Fencing  the  tables  is  merely  an  expedient  suggested  by 
liuinaM  prudence,  and  is  not  supported  by  scriptural  precept 
or  apostolical  example.  It  is  therefore  a  vulgar  prejudice  to 
account  it  essential  to  the  ordinance,  and  to  imagine  that  it 
adds  anything  to  its  perfection  or  solemnity.  The  truth  is, 
that  to  aid  his  people  in  examining  themselves,  should  be  the 
object  of  a  minister  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  the 
year,  and  that  he  should  study  so  to  divide  the  word  of  truth, 
that  all  may  be  furnished  with  the  means  of  ascertaining  their 
state  and  character,  before  they  assemble  to  celebrate  the 
Supper.  But,  although  this  part  of  the  service  is  not  neces- 
sary, is  not  adopted  in  many  Christian  societies,  and  might 
be  laid  aside  without  in  any  degree  impairing  the  original 
institution,  at  which  it  was  not  observed,  yet  there  is  no  doubt 
that  it  has  been  productive  of  good,  and  might  have  produced 
more,  if  it  had  been  judiciously  conducted.  Ministers  should 
beware  of  the  two  extremes,  of  being  too  easy  or  too  severe ; 
of  being  too  easy,  lest  they  embolden  the  profane  ;  and  of 
being  too  severe,  lest  they  discourage  the  pious.  There  is 
danger  to  be  apprehended  from  their  boundless  charity,  and 
from  their  gloominess  and  narrow-mindedness.  The  Avord  of 
God  is  the  only  standard  of  character ;  and  as  it  excludes  all 
who  are  living  in  sin,  so  it  invites  all  who  love  the  Saviour, 
although  their  love  should  be  as  a  grain  of  mustard-seed. 
The  plan  at  present  pursued  in  our  church  is  preferable  to 
that  of  our  predecessors,  who,  taking  the  decalogue  as  their 
standard,  excommunicated  sinners  of  every  description  and 
degree,  many  of  whom  were  well  known  not  to  be  present, 
and  would  have  disclaimed  the  privilege  which  was  publicly 
denied  them.  What  had  they  to  do  to  judge  them  who  were 
without?  Ought  they  not  to  judge  them  alone  who  were 
within  ?"  This  extract  from  the  late  distinguished  professor 
of  Theology  in  the  Secession  body,  though  longer  than  we 
had  intended,  we  could  not  withhold ;  as  it  may  perhaps  be 
read  by  many  with  satisfaction,  who  may  not  have  access  to 
that  noble  work. 


160  INFANT   BAPTISM. 

The  practice  of  distributing  tokens  to  communicants  on 
Saturday  or  Sabbath  morning,  previous  to  the  communion 
service,  universally  prevailed,  and  Avas,  no  doubt,  introduced 
into  this  country  from  Scotland  and  the  north  of  Ireland. 
When  at  our  early  sacraments,  so  large  a  proportion  of 
intending  communicants  were  from  surrounding  churches,  it 
seemed  a  highly  proper  custom.  It  is  now,  to  a  great  extent, 
discontinued.  It  may  well  be  doubted  whether  any  real 
advantage  can  be  shown,  from  the  continuance  of  this  con- 
fessedly human  device,  in  any  of  our  churches  now.  We  are 
familiar  with  all  that  has  been  alleged  in  its  defence.  We 
are  aware  of  the  circumstances  which  seemed  to  render  it 
necessary  in  early  times.  But  even  then,  the  evils,  at  least 
the  embarrassing  inconveniences,  sometimes  resulting  from  it, 
might  well  have  raised  the  question  whether  they  did  not  out- 
weigh any  good  that  was  secured.  On  the  whole,  this 
custom  so  prevalent  once  in  our  Western  churches,  we  think, 
is  now  more  honored  in  the  breach  than  the  observance. 

The  ordinance  of  infant  baptism  was  generally  administered 
on  the  Sabbath,  at  the  house  of  God,  at  as  early  a  time  after 
the  birth  of  the  child,  as  it  suited  the  convenience  of  parents 
to  attend  public  worship.  The  practice  of  confining  the 
administration  of  this  ordinance  to  Mondays  of  Communions, 
they  did  not  sanction  or  approve.  It  appears,  from  the 
minutes  of  the  Presbytery,  that  at  their  spring  session,  in 
1792,  a  recommendation  of  the  Synod  of  Virginia — of  which 
they  were  then  a  part  —  came  before  them,  in  respect  to 
which  they  adopted  the  following  minutes  :  "  The  Presbytery 
taking  into  their  serious  consideration  the  recommendation 
of  Synod  respecting  periodical  baptism,  cannot  see  sufficient 
ground  from  scripture  authority  for  their  compliance  there- 
with." Is  it  not  likely  that  these  fathers  also  preferred  their 
own  usage  on  this  subject,  because,  by  the  more  frequent 
public  administration  of  that  ordinance,  an  opportunity  would 
be  better  afforded  to  remind  parents  and  children  present, 
almost  continually  of  their  solemn  obligations  ? 


INJUNCTIONS  ON  PARENTS.  101 

They  were  all  in  the  hahit  6f  engaging  parents  to  strict 
and  solemn  promises,  in  reference  to  the  religious  training  of 
their  children.  When  an  attempt  was  made  to  introduce  a 
laxer  system  among  them,  and  a  reference  was  made  to  them 
on  the  subject,  August  12th,  1788,  in  this  form,  *'  Whether 
ministers  ought,  in  the  administration  of  baptism,  to  require  the 
parents  to  promise  to  perform  certain  duties,  or  only  to  recom- 
mend the  performance  of  them.  ^The  Presbyter}'-  were  unani- 
mously of  opinion  that  it  is  the  duty  of  ministers,  not  only 
to  recommend,  but  to  require  of  parents  a  solemn  promise 
that  they  will,  through  grace,  conscientiously  perform  certain 
duties  wliich  are  usually  mentioned  on  such  occasions.'  " 
Such  were  their  views  and  practice  in  those  earlier  times,  in 
regard  to  the  ordinance  of  baptism.  "We  would  further  add 
that  they  not  only  bound  these  solemn  vows  upon  the  con- 
sciences of  parents — but  they  took  care  to  ascertain  how  far 
they  complied  with  their  engagements.  Especially  did  they 
attend  to  the  catechetical  instruction  of  all  the  children  and 
youth  of  their  congregations.  The  children  expected,  as  a 
matter  of  course,  to  be  examined  on  the  shorter  catechism,  in 
the  course  of  the  pastor's  family  visitation,  and  were  generally 
ambitious  to  secure  his  approbation  by  their  recitations ;  and 
of  course  were  usually  well  prepared  for  his  visits. 

It  is  very  apt  to  excite  surprise  upon  examining  any  of 
the  letters,  papers,  or  records  of  those  early  times  that  these 
early  fathers  wrote  so  small  a  hand,  and  crowded  so  much 
into  a  little  space.  This  was  the  case  with  Finley,  M'Millan, 
Power,  Smith,  and  Dod.  We  have  not  seen  any  specimen  of 
the  hand-writing  of  Clarke,  and  Dunlap ;  but  have  been  told 
that  they  were  no  exceptions  in  this  respect.  This  may  have 
arisen  from  their  custom  of  preparing  small  forms  or  skeletons, 
such  as  they  could  conveniently  insert  in  their  little  pocket 
Bibles,  which  they  used  altogether  in  those  days.  A  modern 
fine  Quarto  Bible  in  the  pulpit  would  have  been  a  curiosity 
too  exciting  to  admit  of  much  attention  to  the  sermon  —  at 
least  for  a  few  weeks.  But  perhaps  this  peculiarity  in  their 
11 


162  NO   NEWSPAPERS. 

writing  arose  from  the  necessity  of  economising  paper,  Tvhich 
was  scarce  and  very  dear.*  Book-stores  were  unknown.  How 
they  ever  succeeded  in  getting  over  the  mountains  such  works 
as  Pool's  Synopsis,  Henry's  Commentary,  Stackhouse's 
Bible,  and  llidgeley's  Body  of  Divinity — all  folios — has  puz- 
zled us  to  divine.  Of  the  smaller  works,  such  as  Boston's 
Fourfold  State,  Baxter's  Saint's  Best,  Alliene's  Alarm, 
Baxter's  Call,  Pilgrim's  Progress,  Ambrose's  Looking  unto 
Jesus,  Flavel's  Touchstone,  Owen  on  Prayer,  and  many 
others,  you  would  generally  find  two  or  three  of  these  in 
almost  every  Presbyterian  family. 

Neither  our  ministers  nor  people  had  any  religious  News- 
paper in  those  days ;  no  Magazines  nor  Beviews.  The 
"Western  Missionary  Magazine"  was  started  in  1802;  but 
did  not  survive  the  third  year.  It  is  well  worth  looking  after, 
as  it  contains  a  very  considerable  amount  of  valuable  matter, 
especially  about  the  early  revivals  in  Western  Pennsylvania, 
in  Kentucky,  and  in  New  England. 

But  they  had  no  post-offices — no  newspapers  of  any  kind, 
except  what  came  casually  to  hand,  brought  out  by  travellers, 
traders,  merchants,  and  others.  The  first  Newspaper  ever 
published  in  the  West  was  "The  Pittsburg  Gazette,"  which 
began  July  29th,  1786. f  There  was  no  regular  mail  across 
the  mountains  for  several  years  after  the  Bedstone  Presbytery 
was  organized. 

The  first  regular  post  from  Philadelphia  to  Pittsburg  was 
started  in  1788 — and  one  from  Virginia  to  Bedford — the  two 
to  meet  at  Bedford.^  We  would  think  it  an  intolerable 
hardship  now  to  be  deprived  of  mails  and  newspapers,  especially 
our  weekly  "Advocates,"  "Presbyterians,"  and  "Banners." 

*  Messrs.  Johnson  and  Sharpless  established  the  first  paper-mill  in 
the  West,  in  1797;  on  Redstone  Creek,  Fayette  County,  Pa.  (See 
Hazard's  Register,  Vol.  13,  page  224.) 

t  The  first  editor  was  John  Scull,  Esq.,  who  died,  February  8th,  1828, 
in  Westmoreland,  in  the  63d  year  of  his  age. 

X  History  of  Pittsburg. 


THE    SHORTER   CATECHISM.  163 

We  would  not  depreciate  the  value  of  periodical  literature ; 
but  if  our  forefathers  had  it  not,  they  at  least  escaped  the 
temptation  of  wasting  too  many  precious  hours  over  that 
kind  of  reading,  to  the  neglect  of  more  solid  and  substantial 
food.  And  if  the  people  now  have  much  more  general  intel- 
ligence, through  the  means  of  the  newspaper  press,  their 
knowledge  has  grown,  in  many  cases,  more  superficial, 
especially  in  religious  matters,  than  that  possessed  by  many 
of  their  fathers.  If  they  had  no  papers,  many  of  them  had 
a  few  good  books,  which  they  often  perused.  Some  of  them 
were  familiar  with  Fisher's  Catechism  ;  and  in  an  examination 
on  theology,  would  have  put  to  the  blush  many  a  candidate 
before  Presbyteries  of  our  day. 

Great  attention  was  paid  to  the  "  Shorter  Catechism."  It 
was  usually  taught  in  all  the  schools.  And  pious  parents 
required  a  recitation  of  it  in  their  families,  by  old  and  young, 
on  Sabbath  evening.  To  have  neglected  this  matter  would 
have  been  regarded  as  heathenish.  Their  singing  was  gene- 
rally of  a  very  plain  description.  But  it  was  with  a  hearti- 
ness and  earnestness  that  showed  they  meant  something  by  it. 
"Praising  God  by  a  committee,"  in  other  words,  the  use  of 
choirs,  was  unknown  to  them.  The  singing  at  the  church  was 
generally  led  by  one  or  more  persons  in  front  of  the  pulpit ; 
and  very  commonly  a  smaller  pulpit  was  constructed  in  front 
of  the  minister's,  a  few  feet  lower,  called  the  Clerk's  desk. 
If  the  sounds  they  occasionally  made  were  somewhat  nasal,  it 
disturbed  nobody.  The  lines  were  "parcelled"  out — some- 
times one  at  a  time — generally  two — and  in  this  we  have 
certainly  gained  some  advantage.  But  in  those  days  psalm- 
books  were  scarce,  and  many  would  have  been  scandalized 
had  any  attempt  been  made  to  sing  without  "giving  out" 
the  lines. 

We  have  little  respect  for  that  kind  of  spirit  that  would 
flout  at  their  more  simple  usages,  or  suppose  that  our  old 
ministers  were  utterly  wanting  in  taste  and  refinement,  be- 
cause they  did  not  correct  or  change  these  customs.     How 


164  KEEPING   AWAKE   IN   CHURCH. 

much  better,  and  more  in  accordance  with  the  true  design  of 
this  part  of  public  worship,  the  methods  of  those  times,  than 
what  is  witnessed  often  now,  in  town  or  city  churches,  calUng 
themselves  evangehcal  too,  when  a  choir,  with  or  without  an 
organ  or  bass  viol,  almost  entirely  monopolise  the  singing ; 
and  professors  of  religion  turn  almost  half-way  round  in  their 
seats  to  look  up  and  listen  to  the  choir.  *  Tell  it  not  in  Gath, 
publish  it  not  in  the  streets  of  Askelon.'  This  is  often  now 
witnessed  in  many  of  our  churches. 

In  those  times,  the  people  all  rose  in  time  of  prayer,  ex- 
cept the  aged  and  infirm,  and  stood  devoutly  till  its  close. 
The  indecent  practice  of  multitudes  now,  either  not  rising  at 
all,  or  almost  immediately  popping  down  again  on  their  seats, 
was  unknown  in  the  times  of  the  old  Redstone  Presbytery. 

There  was  one  custom  that  then  prevailed,  which  was  well 
adapted  to  the  plainness  and  simplicity  of  the  times,  the 
restoration  of  which  we  would  almost  advocate.  When  any- 
body became  drowsy  or  weary  with  sitting,  it  was  perfectly 
allowable  to  get  up  and  stand  awhile.  And  persons  of  every 
age  and  both  sexes  adopted  this  custom  ;  so  that,  on  a  warm 
summer  day,  you  might  see  twenty,  fifty,  or  sixty  people, 
young  and  old,  standing  bolt  upright,  in  various  parts  of  the 
congregation.  By  this  means,  sleep  was  resisted,  and  drowsi- 
ness thrown  off.  Subjected  to  various  toils  and  hardships, 
many,  in  those  days,  found  it  exceedingly  difiBcult,  after  a 
week  of  hard  work,  to  keep  themselves  awake  on  the  Sabbath, 
while  at  church.  The  services  were  somewhat  long  —  the 
sermon  would  often  reach  the  length  of  an  hour  and  a  half. 
Their  prayers,  too,  were  often  long.  In  the  summer,  an 
hour's  intermission  between  sermons  was  common.  Their 
communions  were  often  held  out  in  a  grove.  Indeed,  the  ser- 
vices, in  many  places,  were  conducted  at  what  they  called  a 
tent,  during  the  whole  summer,  when  the  weather  permitted. 
It  was  customary  for  many  to  take  their  little  Bibles  with 
them,  and  to  note  the  text,  and  the  text-proofs  quoted. 

The  people  were  generally  very  plainly  clad,  and  in  sum- 


PREACHING  WITHOUT  A  COAT.  165 

nier  seldom  wore  coats  at  meeting.  Even  our  old  ministers 
generally  divested  themselves  of  their  coats,  when  they  rose 
to  announce  the  text.  Their  custom  was,  generally,  during 
the  period  of  the  year  when  they  preached  twice,  to  make 
one  of  the  discourses  a  part  of  a  series  of  lectures,  or  expo- 
sitory sermons,  on  some  portion  of  the  Bible.  The  Psalms, 
the  Prophecy  of  Isaiah,  or  one  of  the  Epistles,  would  be 
taken  up  and  treated  seriatim  in  this  way.  The  great  advan- 
tage to  themselves  and  to  their  hearers,  in  this  course,  need 
not  be  dwelt  upon.  It  is  much  to  be  lamented  that  it  has 
gone  so  much  out  of  use ;  but  we  rejoice  to  see  that  it  is 
recently  recommended  from  high  quarters  of  ministerial  influ- 
ence. As  to  the  amount  of  study  and  preparation  necessary 
for  such  a  course  of  lectures,  we  believe  it  requires  more 
study  and  diligence  to  make  a  good  lecturer,  than  a  good 
text-preacher. 

These  early  fathers  were  humble,  devoted,  prayerful  men. 
They  studied  much,  considering  their  toils  and  hardships. 
They  redeemed  much  time  to  prepare  beaten  oil  for  the  sanc- 
tuary. They  were  not  ambitious  to  shine  as  pulpit  stars,  or 
to  blazon  their  learning  or  talents.  There  was  not  a  D.  D. 
among  them,  nor  was  there  while  that  old  Presbytery  lasted. 
And  yet  they  were  all  good  scholars  and  divines,  had  gradu- 
ated at  Princeton,  and  were  well-grounded  in  literature. 


A  SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE 


OF    THE 


REV.  DR.  JOHN  M'MILLAN 


The  Rev.  Dr.  John  M'Millan  was  born  at  Fagg's  Manor, 
Chester  County,  Pa.,  on  the  11th  of  November,  1752.  His 
parents,  (whose  names  were  William  M'Millan  and  Margaret 
Rea,)  came  from  the  north  of  Ireland  to  the  United  States 
about  the  year  1742,  and  were  first  located  at  Fagg's  Manor. 
Here  his  mother  died  in  1768.  The  father  married  again,  f 
and  some  time  during  the  War  of  the  Revolution  removed  to 
the  Western  country,  where  he  died  July  2d,  1792,  aged  75 
years.  His  father  and  mother  were  both  pious ;  the  latter  was 
eminently  so.     They  had  eight  children — five  sons  and  three 

*  This  sketch,  down  till  Dr.  M'Millan's  first  visit  at  Chartiers,  was 
written  by  the  Rev.  Lemuel  F.  Leake,  and  published  in  the  Presbyte- 
rian Advocate,  in  1845.  With  his  consent,  we  have  employed  it,  with- 
out addition  or  curtailment.  We  have  even  received  considerable  aid 
from  him,  in  the  subsequent  part  of  this  Memoir.  We  are  also  much 
indebted  to  a  printed,  but  unfinished  sketch  of  the  Doctor's  life,  by  the 
late  Rev.  Matthew  Brown,  D.  D.  It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  Dr. 
Brown  did  not  turn  his  attention  to  this  Work,  before  the  growing  in- 
firmities of  age  arrested  his  further  progress.  Doubtless  he  could  have 
furnished  a  valuable  Memoir  of  Dr.  M'Millan,  together  with  an  interest- 
ing history  of  Jefferson  College.  Thanks  are  due,  also,  to  a  brother, 
who  gave  us  the  use  of  Dr.  M'Millan's  Journal,  in  his  own  handwriting. 
This  was  a  most  unexpected  favor,  as  we  had  despaired  of  ever  seeing  it. 

t  His  father's  second  wife  was  the  mother  of  Professor  Miller,  late  of 
Jefi'erson  College. 

(166) 


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;/: 


J' 


^t-^ftAn^ 


v^ 


.^^^-iCrr    QH^ 


<}n^Mtryr 


Af/fui'olarC^  jfmj"  /iM./injj  PAi/' 


THE    REV.    DR.    JOHN    M'MILLAN.  107 

daughters.  Two  of  the  sons  died  young.  The  names  of  the 
sons  who  attained  to  mature  age  were  Thomas  and  William. 
William  was  the  father  of  the  Rev.  William  M'Millan,  D.  D., 
who,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  was  President  of  Franklin  Col- 
lege, New  Athens,  Ohio.  The  daughter's  names  were  Mary, 
Jane  and  Margaret.  John,  who  was  the  youngest  but  one, 
survived  all  the  rest  of  the  family. 

Like  Samuel  and  John  of  old,  and  many  others  of  distin- 
guished usefulness  in  the  Church  of  God,  the  subject  of  these 
notes  was  a  son  given  in  answer  to  special  prayer.  Before 
the  birth,  his  father,  having  lost  an  infant  son,  whose  name 
■was  John,  solemnly  vowed  to  the  Lord,*  that  if  he  would  give 
him  another  son,  he  would  call  his  name  John,  and  devote 
him  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry.  In  consequence  of 
the  birth  of  this  son,  who  was  thus  given  in  answer  to  prayer, 
and  who  was  named  John,  in  fulfilment  of  his  father's  vow, 
many,  no  doubt,  as  in  the  case  of  the  son  of  Zacharias,  were 
made  to  rejoice ;  for  he  too,  as  he  afterwards  appeared,  was 
the  appointed  instrument  of  God  to  turn  many  who  were  dis- 
obedient to  the  wisdom  of  the  just — to  make  ready  a  people 
prepared  for  the  Lord. 

Having  made  the  necessary  proficiency  in  English  studies, 
young  M'Millan  commenced  his  classical  course  at  the  highly 
celebrated  Academy  at  Fagg's  Manor,  his  native  place.  This 
seminary,  which  had  been  founded,  and  for  some  time  con- 
tinued, by  that  eminent  scholar  and  divine,  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Blair,  was  now  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev.  John  Blair, 
not  less  distinguished  than  his  kinsman  and  predecessor. 
Here  such  men  as  President  Davies,  Alexander  Cummins, 
Robert  Smith,  James  Finley,  John  Rogers,  and  others,  some 
of  whom  were  among  the  master  spirits  of  the  age,  and  the 
most  distinguished  ministers  of  the  day,  had  their  elemental 
training.     The  plan  of  education  pursued  in  such  seminaries 

*  Although,  in  Dr.  M'Millan's  MS.,  the  father  only  is  mentioned — 
yet,  as  his  mother  was  an  eminently  devout  woman,  she  doubtless  had 
her  own  exercises  of  faith  and  prayer,  in  reference  to  the  same  subject. 


168  A   SKETCH    OF   THE   LIFE   OP 

as  this  had,  indeed,  less  of  show  than  that  adopted  in  the 
gymnasiums,  and  high  schools,  and  institutes  of  such  lofty 
pretensions,  to  which  the  spirit  of  boasted  improvement,  and 
we  may  add,  the  fastidious  taste  of  the  present  age,  have 
given  birth  :  but  it  is  believed  it  had  far  more  solid  worth,  and 
was  better  adapted  to  the  development  of  mind.  It  was  bet- 
ter suited  to  lay  a  foundation  for  ripe  scholarship.  And  un- 
less we  err  in  judgment,  the  mode  of  discipline  then  in  prac- 
tice was  calculated  to  shed  a  more  healthful  influence  upon 
the  exercise  and  right  improvement  of  the  moral  powers. 
Unless  we  are  deceived,  the  result  has  shown  that  there  is  far 
more  sciolism,  and  far  less  fixedness  of  strength  of  moral 
principle,  among  nominally  educated  men  of  the  present  day, 
than  at  the  time  to  which  we  refer.  And  for  all  the  prac- 
tical and  important  purposes  of  life,  such  an  education  as  was 
chiefly  or  wholly  obtained  at  such  institutions  as  the  Academy 
at  Fagg's  Manor,  or  the  Log  College  on  the  Neshaminy,  was 
far  more  valuable  than  that  which  has  the  sanction  of  the 
"Facultates  Artium,"  and  the  "  Sigillum  latum  Curatorum," 
of  many  of  the  Colleges  and  Universities,  of  pompous  pre- 
tensions, in  our  day. 

Under  circumstances  thus  favorable  for  mental  and  moral 
culture,  John  M'Millan  continued  to  pursue  his  studies  at  the 
Academy  in  Fagg's  Manor,  until  the  removal  of  Mr.  Blair, 
his  distinguished  Preceptor,  to  Princeton  College.*  From 
Fagg's  Manor,  when  he  was  about  fifteen  years  of  age,  he 
was  sent  to  the  grammar  school  at  Pequea,  Lancaster  County, 
Pa.  This  institution  was  of  kindred  character  with  that  which 
he  had  left.  It  will  form  an  index  of  its  repute  to  know  that 
it  was,  at  this  time,  under  the  instruction  and  superintendence 

*  To  this  venerable  institution  Mr.  Blair  was  called,  by  the  Trus- 
tees, in  1767.  Here  he  occupied  the  Chair  of  Professor  of  Moral  Phi- 
losophy and  Theology  until  the  accession  of  Dr.  Witherspoon  to  the 
Presidency,  in  1769.  Mr.  Blair  was  chosen  to  the  office  of  Vice-Presi' 
dent  of  the  College.  (See  Note  D.  appended  to  Dr.  Green's  Discourse 
to  Baccalaureate,  pp.  363  and  394.) 


THE    REV.    DR.    JOHN    iM'MILLAX.  1G9 

of  such  a  man  as  the  Rev.  Robert  Smith.  It  was  here  the 
privilege  of  Mr.  M'Milhin  to  enjoy  the  literary  and  scientific 
advantages  of  such  a  school ;  but  it  -was  his  higher  privilege 
still,  to  attend  upon  the  religious  instruction  and  the  ministry 
of  this  servant  of  the  Lord,  so  eminent  for  his  zeal,  his  ability, 
and  his  success  in  his  Master's  work.* 

The  residence  of  Mr.  M'Millan  at  Pequea  forms  a  period 
in  history  of  deep  and  prominent  interest.  His  timidity  of 
temperament,  which  was  characteristic  and  peculiar,  and  which 
to  himself  was  often  extremely  distressing,  had  hitherto  kept 
out  of  view  his  moral  worth.  The  native  vigor  of  his  mind 
could  no  longer  entirely  be  concealed.  The  keen  eye  of  that 
wise  observer  of  human  nature,  his  instructor,  Mr.  Smith, 
saw  through  all  the  darkening  disparagements  of  an  exterior, 
forbidding  as  it  was,  the  indications  of  talent  that  gave  much 
promise  of  future  usefulness.  He  would  often  apply  to  his 
pupil,  M'Millan — referring  especially  to  the  character  of  his 
mind  —  a  plain  but  expressive  adage,  the  import  of  which  is 
*'he  is  better  than  he  looks."  By  the  kind,  and  soothing, 
and  judicious  attention  of  Mr.  Smith,  he  was  encouraged ; 
and  he  soon  gave  evidence  that  was  decisive,  that  he  possessed 

*  Mr.  Smith  was  of  Scottish  descent.  His  parents,  when  he  was  a 
child,  emigrated  to  America,  about  the  year  1730.  In  his  fifteenth  or 
sixteenth  year  he  was  hopefully  made  a  subject  of  God's  special  grace, 
through  the  instrumentality  of  the  preaching  of  Whitefield,  whose 
preaching  was  so  remarkably  blessed,  both  in  Britain  and  in  tins  coun- 
try, lie  pursued  his  classical  and  theological  course  of  instruction 
under  the  direction  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Blair,  of  Fagg's  Manor.  In 
1750,  he  was  licensed,  and  was  ordained  the  pastor  of  the  church  of 
Pequea  in  1751.  In  the  year  1784,  he  received  the  honorary  degree  of 
D,  1).  from  the  College  of  New  Jersey.  After  having  acquired  high  dis- 
tinction as  a  classical  teacher,  as  an  instructor  in  theology,  and  as  a 
minister  of  the  gospel,  he  closed  a  life  of  great  usefulness  in  his  G3d 
year.  See  a  sketch  of  his  life  and  character  in  the'  Assembly's  Maga- 
zine, Vol.  2,  Number  for  January,  1806.  The  writer  of  that  sketch 
says  of  Dr.  Smith,  "  He  was  certainly  among  the  most  able  theologians, 
the  most  profound  casuists,  and  the  most  convincing  of  successful 
preachers  of  his  age." 


170  A    SKETCH    OF   THE    LIFE    OF 

an  intellect  of  a  high  order.  But  the  part  of  his  history 
while  yet  at  Pequea,  of  greater  interest  still,  remains  to  be 
told.  While  a  pupil  here,  it  pleased  God  to  visit  the  congre- 
gation of  Mr.  Smith  with  a  special  outpouring  of  his  Spirit. 
Almost  the  whole  school  was  made  to  feel  the  influence  of  this 
blessed  work.  The  result  was,  that  a  majority  of  the  pupils 
in  the  school  was  hopefully  converted.  "  Some  of  them,"  to 
use  Dr.  M'Millan's  words,  "  became  blessings  in  their  day, 
and  were  eminently  useful  in  the  Church  of  Christ."  It  was 
under  the  overshadowing  of  this  visit  of  mercy  and  grace 
that  his  own  soul  was  made  the  subject  of  religious  impres- 
sions that  were  deep,  powerful,  and  abiding.  He  was  now, 
probably,  about  sixteen  or  seventeen  years  of  age.  And 
although  in  that  very  brief  and  general  statement  which  he 
has  left  in  manuscript  of  his  own  history,  he  has  expressed 
no  opinion  of  the  precise  time  of  his  conversion,  yet  it  is  pro- 
bable that  it  was  about  the  period  of  his  renewal  into  the 
divine  image.  He  speaks,  indeed,  of  a  subsequent  time,  par- 
ticularly when  he  was  in  college,  to  which  we  shall  hereafter 
advert,  when  his  views  of  eternal  things  were  clearer  and 
more  satisfactory.  But  probably  these  were  the  result  of  the 
actings  of  a  more  matured  principle  of  holiness,  of  a  more 
vigorous  faith,  of  a  brighter  and  more  joyful  manifestation 
of  his  interest  in  the  Saviour,  made  to  his  own  soul ;  the  more 
powerful  witnessing  of  the  Spirit  that  he  was  a  child  of  God 
—  rather  indicative  of  the  advancement  in  the  heavenly  life, 
than  of  the  soul's  first  entrance  upon  it. 

In  describing  his  exercises  of  mind  at  the  time  of  the 
Revival  at  Pequea,  Mr.  McMillan  thus  speaks  :  "  It  was  here 
that  I  received  my  first  religious  impressions ;  though,  as 
long  as  I  can  remember,  I  had  at  times  some  checks  of  con- 
science, and  was  frequently  terrified  by  dreams  and  visions 
in  the  night,  which  made  me  cry  to  God  for  mercy.  But 
these  seasons  were  of  short  duration  :  like  the  morning  cloud 
and  the  early  dew,  they  soon  passed  away.  I  k^iew  that  I  was 
a  lost,  undone  sinner,  exposed  to  the  wrath  of  a  justly  offended 


THE    REV.    DR.    JOHN    M'MILLAN.  171 

God.  I  could  do  nothing  for  my  o^vn  relief.  My  convictions 
were  not  attended  with  much  horror,  though  I  felt  that  I  de- 
served hell,  and  that  in  all  probability  it  must  be  my  portion  ; 
yet  I  could  not  feel  that  distress  that  I  ought  to  feel,  and 
which  I  thought  that  I  must  feel,  before  I  could  expect  to 
obtain  relief.  I  felt,  also,  much  prido  and  legality  mingled 
•with  all  the  duties  I  attempted  to  perform.  "  *'  In  this  situ- 
ation," he  further  adds,  "I  continued  till  I  went  to  college." 
Here,  although  he  himself  appears  not,  at  this  time,  to  have 
entertained  a  clear  hope  that  he  had  passed  from  death  unto 
life,  we  think  we  can  see  the  workings  of  a  mind  in  a  state 
similar  to  that  of  the  Apostle,  described  in  the  latter  part  of 
the  7th  chapter  of  the  epistle  to  the  Romans  ;  where  we  have 
doubtless  delineated  the  exercises  and  views  of  a  soul  new- 
born:  "For  we  know  that  the  law  is  spiritual;  but  I  am 
carnal,  sold  under  sin :  for  the  good  which  I  would,  I  do  not ; 
but  the  evil  which  I  would  not,  that  I  do,  oh  wretched  man 
that  I  am,"  &c. 

In  the  consideration  of  the  case  of  Mr.  M'Millan,  thus 
early  called  (if  we  may  date  his  conversion  about  this  period,) 
into  the  kingdom  of  grace ;  and  called,  too,  in  a  season  of  the 
special  and  powerful  outpourings  of  the  Spirit ;  we  are  re- 
minded of  what  we  believe  to  be  God's  most  usual  method  of 
furnishing  instruments  of  great  usefulness  in  the  church. 
While  genuine  conversion  at  any  time  of  life,  and  under  any 
circumstances,  is  an  event  as  desirable  and  important  as  is 
the  salvation  of  the  deathless  soul,  and  causes  much  joy  among 
the  angels  of  God,  yet  there  is  ordinarily  little  hope  of  exert- 
ing extensive  influence-  for  good  where  the  energies  of  youth 
are  wasted,  and  the  mind  is  debased  and  paralyzed  by  a  long 
•course  of  sin.  But  when  the  mind  is  early  brought  under  the 
influence  of  grace,  and  especially  when  its  first  spiritual 
breathings  are  in  the  atmosphere  of  a  revival,  other  circum- 
stances being  equal,  much  fairer  promise  is  given  of  a  health- 
ful and  vigorous  ^^outh  in  piety.  And  when,  as  in  the  case 
before  us,  strong  native  talent  is  thus  moulded,  and  directed, 


172  A  SKETCH    OF    THE    LIFE    OF 

and  ennobled  by  sanctifying  grace,  and  the  life  be  long  con- 
tinued, and  Providence  spreads  out  a  favorable  field,  and  leads 
to  its  occupancy,  there  is  reason  then  to  anticipate  much  effi- 
ciency in  doing  good. 

At  witnessing  this  great  and  important  crisis  in  Mr.  M'Mil- 
lan's  history,  so  great  and  important,  viewed  both  in  its  tem- 
poral and  eternal  bearing  and  connexions,  we  may  well  suppose 
his  pious  parents  would  feel  an  intense  interest.*  As  has 
been  remarked,  this  son  had  been  given  to  them  in  answer  to 
their  prayers ;  and  even  before  his  birth  they  had  solemnly 
devoted  him  to  the  Lord :  and  all  along  the  hazardous  path 
of  childhood  and  youth,  they  had  doubtless  watched  over  him 
with  a  solicitude  which  none  but  parents  of  their  character 
and  circumstances  could  feel.  It  was,  too,  with  considerable 
effort,  and  at  much  worldly  sacrifice,  that  they  furnished  the 
means  of  sustaining  him  in  his  academical  course. f  But 
after  all  the  pious  care  in  training  him  up  for  God,  and  the 
expense  incurred  in  furnishing  the  means  of  literary  improve- 
ment, unless  he  should  be  made  a  subject  of  God's  special 
grace,  he  must  and  ought  not  only  to  stop  short  of  the  minis- 
try, but  his  talents  and  acquirements  might  only  prepare  him 
for  doing  more  extensive  mischief  in  his  day  and  generation, 
and  for  a  deeper  and  more  appalling  condemnation  in  the 
world  to  come.  While,  therefore,  they  would  feel  it  their 
duty  and  privilege,  in  humble  dependence  on  God  for  the 

*  Whether  his  mother  was  now  ahve,  is  not  certainly  known.  She 
appears,  from  what  we  can  gather  from  the  records,  to  have  lived  till 
after  he  went  to  the  academy  at  Pequea.  Bat  whether  her  decease  took 
place  shortly  before  or  subsequently  to  the  supposed  period  of  his  con- 
version, cannot  be  determined.  But  if  her  sainted  spirit  were  now  in 
heaven,  her  interest  and  her  joy  were  not  the  less  intense  because  un- 
earthly. 

t  The  pecuniary  circumstances  of  Dr.  M'Millan's  father  were  only 
moderate ;  and  to  defray  the  expenses  of  his  son's  education,  he  was 
often  straitened  and  subjected  to  considerable  difficulty.  Even  his  sis- 
ters, much  to  their  honor,  engaged  in  the  labors  of  the  field  to  help  for- 
ward their  brother  in  obtaining  his  education. 


THE   REV.    DR.    JOHN    M'MILLAN.  173 

blessino-,  to  employ  all  the  instrumentalities  at  their  command 
for  securing  the  object  of  their  hopes,  their  bosoms  ^vuuUl 
often  beat  with  the  heavings  of  strong  desire  that^God  avouM 
be  gracious  to  their  son  —  that  Christ  might  be  formed  in  his 
heart  the  hope  of  glory  ;  with  what  emotions  would  they  then 
contemplate  those  buddings  of  grace  so  full  of  promise  and 
hope.  Their  covenant-keeping  God  has  now,  in  the  hopeful 
conversion  of  their  son,  given  them  fresh  proofs  that  he  is  the 
hearer  of  prayer.  And  now  their  trust  in  him  is  strengthened, 
and  they  feel  that  it  is  scarcely  too  much  to  hope  that  their 
son,  through  the  mercy  of  the  Lord,  will  one  day  become  a 
faithful  minister  of  the  New  Testament;  —  and  that  having 
instrumentally  turned  many  to  righteousness,  he  would  at  last 
shine  as  a  star  in  the  kingdom  of  his  Father  forever.  Say, 
pious  parent,  would  not  the  hope  of  seeing  your  son  crowned 
with  the  richest  diadem  of  earthly  royalty  be  poor  and  low, 
compared  with  such  anticipations  ? 

Mr.  M'Millan  continued  at  the  academy  in  Pequea  until  the 
spring  of  1770,  when  he  entered  the  college  at  Princeton, 
New  Jersey.  He  was  in  his  eighteenth  year.  And  as  the 
circumstances  under  which  he  had  pursued  his  more  early 
course  of  study  had  been  propitious,  so  now  he  had  the  privi- 
lege to  enjoy  the  advantages  in  an  institution  so  signally 
blessed  of  God,  and  so  famed  as  a  nursery  of  piety  and  sound 
learning  as  Nassau  Hall ;  an  institution  which  has  had  at  its 
head  men  of  the  first  order,  and  which  reckons  among  its 
alumni,  in  proportion  to  the  whole  number,  more  names  of 
eminence  in  the  church  and  in  the  state  than,  perhaps,  any 
other  college  in  the  land.  The  time,  too,  in  which  Mr. 
M'Millan  enjoyed  its  advantages  was  one  of  the  brightest 
'periods  in  its  history.  It  was  now  under  the  direction  and 
care  of  that  great  and  good  man.  Dr.  Witherspoon ;  —  a  man 
in  whose  character  was  exhibited  a  very  rare  assemblage  of 
greatness  and  worth ;  whose  memory  is  revered  not  only  as  a 
preacher,  as  a  divine,  and  as  the  head  of  a  distinguished  semi- 
nary of  learning,  but  whose  great  practical  wisdom,  and  whose 


174  A   SKETCH    OF   THE   LIFE   OF 

unflinching  patriotism,  are  known  to  have  shed  such  an  influ- 
ence for  good  on  the  political  institutions  and  destinies  of  his 
adopted  country. 

In  the  summer  of  1768,  Dr.  Witherspoon,  at  the  unani- 
mous, the  urgent,  and  repeated  call  of  the  trustees,  came  over 
from  Scotland  and  took  charge  of  the  college.  It  was  about 
two  years  after  this  that  Mr.  M'Millan  entered  as  a  student 
here ;  and  during  the  time  of  his  continuance  at  this  place, 
which  was  two  years  and  a  half,  the  mind  of  the  instructor, 
which  was  in  the  full  vigor  of  its  exercise,  would  scarcely  fail 
to  impress  something  of  its  own  character  on  the  mind  of  the 
pupil :  and,  accordingly,  in  tracing  the  subsequent  career  of 
the  subject  of  this  notice,  we  shall  probably  not  be  mistaken 
in  supposing  that  we  are  able  to  see  striking  indications  of 
the  results  of  that  influence  which  was  now  brought  to  bear 
upon  him.  However  this  may  be,  we  certainly  do  not  err 
when,  in  reference  to  the  part  he  was  afterwards  to  act  on  the 
great  theatre  of  life,  especially  in  reference  to  the  place  in 
the  Lord's  vineyard  which  he  was  afterwards  to  occupy,  we 
attach  high  importance  to  that  holy  and  heavenly  influence 
he  w^as  made  to  feel  while  he  was  at  this  favored  institution. 
We  refer  to  the  influence  of  a  season  of  refreshing  with  which 
the  college  was  visited  shortly  after  Mr.  M'Millan  was  a  stu- 
dent there.  Concerning  his  exercises  at  this  season,  so  fraught 
with  mercy  to  his  own  soul,  and  to  the  souls  of  others,  he  has 
himself  left  the  following  brief  records : 

*I  had  not,"  he  states  in  his  MS.,  "been  long  here  until  a  revival  of 
religion  took  place  among  the  students.  I  believe,  at  one  time,  there 
were  not  more  than  two  or  three  but  what  were  under  serious  impres- 
sions. On  a  day  which  had  been  set  apart  by  a  number  of  students  as 
a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  while  the  others  were  at  dinner  I  retired 
into  my  study ;  and  while  trying  to  pray,  I  got  some  discoveries  of 
divine  things  which  I  had  never  had  before.  I  now  saw  that  the  divine 
law  was  not  only  holy,  just,  and  spiritual,  but  also  that  it  was  good ; 
and  that  conformity  to  it  would  make  me  happy.  I  felt  no  disposition 
to  quarrel  with  the  law,  but  with  myself,  because  I  was  not  conformed 
to  it.     I  felt  it  now  easy  to  submit  to  the  gospel  plan  of  salvation  ;  and 


THE    REV.    DR.    JOUX    M'MILLAN.  175 

felt  a  calm  and  a  serenity  of  mind  to  which  I  hail  hitherto  hi-en  a 
stranger.  And  this  was  followed  by  a  delight  in  contemplating  the 
divine  glory  in  all  his  works  ;  and  in  meditating  on  the  divine  perfec- 
tions, I  thought  that  I  could  see  God  in  everything  around  me." 

Thus  while  he  -was  at  college,  we  again  see  the  agency  of 
God  strongly  and  visibly  marked ;  his  spirit  concurring  with 
his  Providence  in  maturing  young  M'Millan's  preparation  for 
his  future  work.  He  was  afterwards  to  be  extensively  en- 
gaged in  forming  the  minds  of  others.  Especially  was  he  to 
be  called  to  the  high  trust  of  training  young  men  to  the  gospel 
ministry.  He  was,  too,  to  be  a  revival  man — a  revival  man 
not  in  the  grossly  perverted  sense  in  which  that  appellation 
has  been  often  employed  in  our  day.  Not  one,  who,  by  his 
wild  and  wicked  extravagance,  spreads  abroad  fire-brands, 
arrows  and  death,  in  the  church;  —  not  one  who,  under  the 
influence  of  pride  and  self-seeking,  resorts  to  all  sorts  of 
trickery  to  get  up  an  excitement  —  nor  yet  one,  who,  though 
well  meaning,  yet  led  on  by  his  misguided  zeal,  becomes  frantic 
in  religion,  and  imparts  his  frenzy  to  others.  His  was  not  to 
be  the  unenviable  fame  of  manufacturing  misnamed  revivals 
— revivals  that  curse  the  church  and  ruin  souls,  and  dishonor 
God  and  outrage  the  cause  of  truth  and  righteousness — that 
so  caricature  religion  itself,  that  the  very  name  revival 
becomes  at  length,  a  term  of  reproach,  and  an  object  of  un- 
mingled  scorn.  He  was  to  be  the  distinguished  instrument, 
in  God's  hand,  in  effecting  and  promoting  such  revivals  as 
have  resulted  in  the  enlargement  of  the  church,  by  the 
accession,  it  is  believed,  of  hundreds  of  genuine  converts,  and 
in  the  great  increase  of  practical  godliness  ;  which,  in  a  word, 
have  shed  a  mighty  and  a  lasting  influence  for  good,  on  all 
the  most  precious  interests  of  Zion,  and  on  the  general  com- 
munity. That  he  might  thus  be  well  furnished  for  purposes 
so  important,  was  he  thus  schooled  in  the  Providence  and 
grace  of  God,  who  sees  the  end  from  the  beginning.  And 
when  afterwards  he  was  called  to  act,  as  his  history  will  tell, 
he  brought  up  to  the  work  a  mind  and  a  heart,  which  gave 
full  proof  of  the  early  training  he  had  received. 


176  A   SKETCH   OF   THE   LIFE   OP 

Mr.  M'Millan  having  completed  his  course  at  Princeton 
College,  was,  at  the  Commencement  in  the  fall  of  1772, 
admitted  to  the  first  degree  of  the  arts  in  that  institution. 
He  now  returned  to  Pequea,  with  a  view  to  the  prosecution 
of  a  regular  course  of  study  in  theology,  under  the  direction 
of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Robert  Smith,  who,  as  before  stated,  had 
been  his  classical  instructor,  immediately  previous  to  his 
entering  the  college.  At  that  time,  and  for  more  than  thirty 
years  after,  there  were  no  regularly  organised  theological 
seminaries  in  our  country.*  And  although  the  professorship 
of  theology  had  been  formally  conferred  upon  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Blair  at  Princeton,  shortly  before,  and  was  at  this  time  filled 
by  Dr.  Witherspoon,  in  connexion  with  the  presidency ;  and 
although  there  had  been  for  some  time  previous,  and  there 
was  now,  a  class  in  theology  at  Princeton,  as  preparatory  to 
the  ministry ;  and  although  there  were  at  other  colleges 
similar  classes  —  yet  these  classes  were  usually  quite  small. 
By  far  the  greater  number  of  those  who  had  the  ministry  in 
view,  either  chose,  or  were  led  by  their  circumstances  to  pursue 
their  theological  course  in  a  more  private  way.  And  if,  under 
the  direction  of  some  intelligent,  judicious  and  devoted  pastor, 
with  the  privilege  of  access  to  a  library,  which,  though  mode- 
rate in  size,  was  well  selected ;  their  opportunities  were  less 
splendid  and  the  form  of  their  preparation  was  less  imposing ; 
yet  in  some  important  respects,  their  real  advantages  were 
superior.  From  the  necessity  of  the  case,  they  were  obliged 
to  think  more  for  themselves.  What  they  read,  they  digested 
better,  and  made  it  more  their  own.  They  were  less  in  danger 
of  knowing  superficially,  everything  in  theology  and  its 
kindred  sciences.  Their  time  was  less  occupied,  and  their 
attention  was  less  frequently  diverted  by  the  mere  etiquette 
of  system — a  system  unsuited,  perhaps,  in  many  of  its  details, 

*  The  Theological  Seminary  under  the  patronage  of  the  Congrega- 
tional Church,  founded  at  Andover,  Massachusetts,  in  1808,  and  the 
Theological  Seminary  established  at  Princeton,  New  Jersey,  in  1812, 
are  the  oldest  in  the  United  States. 


THE    REV.    DR.    JOHN    M'MILLAN.  177 

to  their  own  peculiar  cast  of  mind,  and  thus  calculated  to 
cramp  its  energies  and  hinder  the  cultivation  of  habits  of 
close,  patient,  and  successful  thinking.  But  this  is  not  all — 
students  in  theology,  under  such  circumstances,  would  see  the 
various  and  important  duties  of  the  pastoHl  office  carried  out 
in  their  practical  details,  and  thus  thej  would  acquire  the 
elements  of  an  experience  on  this  subject,  so  valuable  to  them 
in  after  life,  and  which  they  could  not  so  well  and  so  easily 
learn  by  any  other  course  of  preparation.  [Students  in 
theology  would  thus  enjoy  advantages  somewhat  resembling 
those  of  medical  students  attending  Clinical  Lectures. — J.  S.] 

There  were  several  considerations  that  influenced  Mr. 
M'Millan  to  select  Pequea  as  the  place  of  his  theological 
study.  It  was  associated  in  his  mind  with  many  interesting 
recollections.  It  was,  as  we  have  supposed,  the  birthplace 
of"  his  renovated  nature.  lie  had  here  more  pious  friends, 
with  whom,  in  the  freshness  of  his  piety,  he  had  taken  sweet 
counsel.  It  was  not  far  from  his  father's  residence.  His 
means  w^ere  not  ample.  Here  the  style  of  his  living  was 
plain  and  simple.  He  was  strongly  attached  to  Dr.  Smith; 
a  man  in  whose  character  were  blended  so  many  excellencies, 
and  who,  under  God,  had  been  an  instrument  of  so  much 
good  to  himself.  And  in  choosing  Dr.  Smith  as  his  theolo- 
gical teacher  he  showed  his  good  sense,  as  well  as  his  warmth 
of  feeling ;  for  he  scarcely  could  have  made  a  better  choice. 
The  writer  of  the  sketch  of  Dr.  Smith's  life,  to  which  we 
have  before  referred,  says,  "  Many  of  his  classical  pupils,  as 
well  as  others,  returned  to  him  from  college,  to  complete  their 
theological  studies  under  his  direction  in  whom  they  were  sure 
to  find  an  able  instructor  and  an  excellent  model  of  practical 
preaching.  To  have  enjoyed  the  theological  training  of  such 
a  man,  Dr.  M'Millan  was  accustomed  to  regard  as  one  of  the 
happiest  and  most  important  providential  arrangements  of 
his  life. 

The  exercises  of  Dr.  M'Millan's  mind,  as  recorded  by  him- 
self at  this  period  of  entering  upon  the  study  of  theology, 
12 


178  A   SKETCH    OF    THE   LIFE    OF  ^ 

as  immediately  preparatory  to  the  preaching  of  the  gospel, 
were  such  as  might  be  expected.  In  reference  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry,  the  great  Apostle  of  the  Gentiles  was  con- 
strained to  say,  "who  is  sufficient  for  these  things?"  And 
that  man  who  rushed  upon  his  work  without  many  a  solemn 
pause,  without  a  strong  sense  of  the  dread  responsibilities 
which  it  involves,  and  without  a  deep  feeling  of  his  own  un- 
worthiness  and  his  own  insufficiency,  runs  before  he  is  sent. 
He  is  not  called  of  God,  as  was  Aaron.  It  is  manifest  that 
he  is  a  profane  and  an  impious  intruder  into  the  sanctuary 
of  the  Lord.  And  at  this  day  the  church  needs  to  employ 
special  caution  that  she  lay  hands  suddenly  on  no  man.  At 
this  day,  when  a  religion  of  show  and  of  mere  forms,  court- 
ing an  alliance  with  the  spirit  of  the  world,  seeks  with  special 
energy  to  usurp  the  place  of  genuine  godliness,  piety,  decisive 
and  deep-toned,  is  especially  needed.  It  is  true,  that  in  our 
church  the  ministry  has  not  thrown  about  it  the  meretricious 
lure  of  livings  and  sinecures  established  by  law.  Although 
it  is  here  untinselled  with  the  pomp  and  power  of  earthly 
emoluments,  which  a  lordly,  prelatical  assumption  claims  for 
it,  yet,  without  a  mind  well  balanced,  without  a  piety  intelli- 
gent and  vigorous,  men  may  be  influenced,  by  motives  most 
unworthy,  to  seek  the  sacred  office.  Zealous,  but  weak  young 
men,  who  are  pious,  may  form  a  wrong  estimate  of  their 
powers,  and  greatly  err  in  supposing  that  this  is  the  field  in 
which  they  can  do  most  good.  Increased  facilities  for  ac- 
quiring an  education,  afforded  by  the  charitable  funds,  the 
partiality  of  friends,  and  even  the  rivalship  of  instructors 
and  of  public  institutions,  may  present  undue  encouragement. 
And  men  who  are  not  pious  may  yet  propose  to  themselves  a 
comparative  ease,  and  a  comparative  elevation  in  rank  and 
authority,  in  entering  the  ministry  in  our  church,  humble  as 
are  its  claims  under  the  form  of  Presbyterian  parity,  and  in 
view  of  all  the  self-denial  with  which  it  is  associated  by  those 
who  rightly  regard  it.  And  thus,  without  special  vigilance 
on  the  part  of  the  church,  there  is  great  danger  lest  an  in- 


THE    REV.    DR.    JOHN    MCMILLAN.  170 

creased  proportion  of  incompetent,  and  even  wicked  men,  be 
set  apart  to  the  work. 

In  the  case,  however,  of  Mr.  M'Millan,  we  have  no  sur- 
prise, when  upon  this  subject  we  hear  him  utter  such  language 
as  this:  "At  the  time,"  —  the  time  when  he  began  to  study 
theology  at  Pequea,  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  tSmith,  —  he 
remarks,  "  I  had  great  difficulties  in  my  own  mind  about 
undertaking  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry.  However,  I 
at  last  came  to  the  conclusion  to  leave  the  matter  wholly  with 
God.  If  he  opened  the  way,  I  would  go  on ;  if  he  shut  it,  I 
would  be  satisfied.  And  I  think  if  ever  I  knew  what  it  was 
to  have  no  will  of  my  own,  it  was  about  this."  In  reading 
this  record,  we  are  forcibly  reminded  of  the  shrinking  back 
of  Moses  from  the  work  to  which  God  was  calling  him.  "  And 
he  said,  0  my  Lord,  send  I  pray  the  hand  of  him  whom  thou 
wilt  send."  And  of  his  sense  of  dependence  when,  at  a  sub- 
sequent period,  he  said,  "  If  thy  presence  go  not  with  me, 
carry  me  not  up  hence."  We  think  we  here  see  the  move- 
ments of  a  mind  jealous  of  itself  with  a  godly  jealousy.  A 
mind  which,  under  a  conscious  sense  of  unfitness  for  the  work, 
is  afraid  to  go  forward,  but  yet  dares  not  go  back  ;  and  which, 
at  length,  giving  itself  up  to  be  guided  and  blessed  of*  God, 
merges  all  its  purposes  and  desires  in  his  sovereign  pleasure. 
At  what  time  precisely  Mr.  M'Millan  was  received  as  a  can- 
didate for  the  gospel  ministry,  under  the  care  of  the  Presby- 
tery, is  not  known.  It  was  probably  soon  after  he  commenced 
the  study  of  theology.  We,  however,  know  that  he  passed 
through  his  trials  for  licensure  under  the  direction  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Newcastle,  and  was  licensed  by  that  body  as  a 
probationer  to  preach  the  gospel  at  East  Nottingham,  Penn- 
sylvania, on  the  26th  of  October,  1774.  When  he  was  licensed 
to  preach,  he  was  within  a  few  days  of  22  years  of  age.  And 
now  he  entered  upon  the  work  which  for  nearly  00  years  con- 
stituted his  most  delightful  employment.  On  the  Sabbath 
immediately  subsequent  to  his  licensure,  as  appears  from  his 
Journal,  now  before  us,  he  preached  at  Fagg's  Manor,  his 


180  A    SKETCH    OF   THE   LIFE    OF 

native  place.  Through  the  T\'hole  ensuing  -winter  and  spring, 
and  every  Sabbath,  without  exception,  he  preached  princi- 
pally in  the  vacancies  in  Newcastle  and  Donegal  Presbyteries. 
We  have  no  information  as  to  the  results.  His  Journal  at 
this  time  is  little  more  than  a  naked  statement  of  times  and 
places.  When  we  recollect  his  youth,  and  the  little  prepara- 
tion he  had  probably  been  able  to  make,  and  if  his  practice 
of  writing  out  and  memorizing  his  sermons  was  then  the  same 
as  in  after  life,  we  have  evidence  of  laborious  zeal  in  his  Mas- 
ter's service.  We  have  here  a  fair  specimen  of  that  patient, 
and  laborious,  and  persevering  industry,  surmounting  all  dif- 
ficulties and  discouragements,  for  which  afterwards  he  was  so 
distinguished. 

In  the  summer  of  1775,  he  took  a  tour  through  the  settle- 
ments of  Virginia,  between  the  North  and  South  mountains, 
in  Augusta  and  Rockbridge  Counties.  In  July,  he  crossed 
the  mountains  between  Staunton  and  the  head  of  Tygart's 
valley,  preaching  in  the  various  settlements  through  which  he 
passed,  until  he  came  to  Chartiers.  In  this  journey  he  expe- 
rienced great  privations  and  difficulties.  In  the  country 
through  which  he  passed,  there  were  no  roads  but  paths  and 
Indian  trails,  crossed  by  others  —  the  population  very  sparse 
—  the  people  living  in  huts  —  and  those  often  twenty  miles 
apart.  The  following  extract  from  his  Journal  will  give  a 
specimen  of  the  trials  of  those  pioneers,  and  early  emigrants 
in  general : 

"  This  morning  crossed  the  Laurel  Hill — came  to  Mr.  Barker's  about 
12  o'clock.  Here  my  company  left  me  ;  and  Mr.  Barker,  who  had  pro- 
mised to  accompany  me  to  the  next  house,  which  was  about  thirty  miles 
distant,  not  having  his  horse  at  home,  I  was  forced  to  tarry  there  till 
five  o'clock,  when  the  horse  coming  home,  we  set  off.  Nothing  remark- 
able happened,  save  that  Mr.  Barker  shot  a  doe,  part  of  which  we  car- 
ried with  us.  Night  coming  on,  and  being  far  from  any  house,  we  were 
forced  to  think  of  taking  up  our  lodging  in  the  woods :  we  sought  for  a 
place  where  there  was  water,  unsaddled  our  horses,  hobbled  them  with 
hickory  bark,  and  turned  them  to  the  hills :  we  then  kindled  a  fire, 
roasted  part  of  our  venison,  and  took  our  supper :  about  ten  o'clock,  we 


THE    REV.    DR.    JOHN    M'MILLAN.  181 

composed  ourselves  to  rest.     I  wrapt  myself  in  my  groat  coat,  and  laid 
me  on  the  ground ;  my  saddle-bags  served  me  for  a  pillow. 

Thursday. — This  morning  we  rose  very  early,  ate  our  breakfast,  got 
our  horses,  and  set  to  the  road  again.  About  noon,  we  arrived  at  Eze- 
kiel  York's.  Here  my  company  left  me,  and  I  had  to  take  the  woods 
alone:  crossed  two  hills  which,  if  they  were  in  some  parts  of  the  world, 
would  be  called  lofty  mountains ;  and  after  travelling  what  they  call 
twelve  miles,  through  an  almost  pathless  way,  I  came  to  the  glades.  My 
lodging,  this  night,  was  not  much  better  than  the  night  before.  I  had 
a  deer-skin  and  a  sheet  spread  under  me,  some  clothes  above  me,  and  a 
pillow  was  laid  for  my  head.  This,  however,  I  put  under  my  haunch, 
to  keep  my  bones  from  the  floor,  and  I  placed  my  coat  under  my 
head. 

Friday. — I  left  the  glades,  and  travelled  ten  miles  to  one  Coburn's. 
Here  I  got  some  grain  for  my  horse,  which  was  the  first  he  had  since 
Wednesday  morning.  They  told  me  I  was  then  about  ten  miles  from 
Colonel  AVilson's,  where  I  intended  to  tarry  the  remainder  of  the  week  : 
but  this  day  being  very  wet,  the  road  difficult,  and  houses  scarce,  I  lost 
my  way  very  often.  Some  places  I  could  get  no  directions.  And  what 
directions  I  got,  I  could  not  follow,  because  t>f  the  multitude  of  paths 
that  are  every  where  through  the  woods.  About  sunset  I  came  to  a 
plantation,  wliere  I  intended  to  tarry  all  night :  but  when  I  came  to  the 
cabin,  it  was  waste.  I  searched  all  about,  but  could  find  no  inhabitants. 
I  then  took  another  path,  which  led  me  to  a  cabin ;  but  there  was  no- 
body at  home,  and  the  door  was  barred.  I  then  took  my  horse  again, 
and  went  further  along  the  path,  to  see  if  there  was  any  other  cabin 
nigh ;  but  could  find  none.  The  night  being  dark,  and  very  rainy,  I 
therefore  resolved  to  return  to  the  fore-named  cabin.  When  I  came 
there,  I  found  the  cabin  still  barred,  and  nobody  at  home.  I,  however, 
unsaddled  my  horse,  and  turned  him  into  a  field  which  lay  convenient. 
Finding  it  impossible  to  open  the  door,  I  climbed  the  wall,  and  went 
into  a  hole  in  the  roof,  which  served  instead  of  a  chimney.  I  then 
opened  the  door,  brought  in  my  saddle,  kindled  a  fire ;  and  after  I  had 
ordered  my  afi'airs  as  well  as  possible,  I  laid  myself  down  on  a  sort  of 
bed,  and  slept  very  contentedly  till  morning. 

Saturday. — This  morning  I  buckled  on  my  wet  clothes,  got  my  horse, 
barred  the  doors,  and  left  my  lonely  lodgings,  not  knowing  wliich  way 
tcf  steer.  But  before  I  had  gone  many  rods,  I  met  the  owner  of  the 
cabin  returning  home.  I  told  him  the  story,  got  directions  of  the  road, 
and  came  to  Mr.  Wilson's  in  time  for  breakfast. 

The  1st  of  August.— Fveaiched  at  Blount  Moriah  ;  but  the  day  being 
rainy,  there  was  only  a  small  congregation.  However,  they  seemed 
pretty  attentive,  and  a  few  tears  were  shed  by  some.     In  the  evening, 


182  A   SKETCH    OF   THE   LIFE    OF 

I  returned  to  Colonel  Wilson's,  and  tarried  there  till  Wednesday  morn- 
ing, part  of  which  time  I  spent  in  writing. 

Wednesday. — Rode  about  fourteen  miles,  and  preached  at  John  Arm- 
strong's, on  Muddy  Creek,  to  a  small  congregation.  There  I  remained 
till  Sabbath  morning.  But  the  weather  being  rainy,  and  the  house 
small,  I  got  but  little  done. 

The  second  Sabbath  of  August.— Rode  about  four  miles  down  the 
river,  and  preached  at  John  M 'Ribbon's,  on  Dunlap's  Creek,  and  lodged 
with  him  all  night. 

Monday. — Finished  my  first  sermon,  and  began  a  second,  on  Luke, 
14—23. 

Tuesday. — I  spent  the  forenoon  in  writing,  and  then  went  about  four 
miles  to  Mr.  Adams',  where  I  spent  the  remainder  of  the  day. 

Wednesday. — Preached  at  James  Picketts',  to  a  pretty  large  congre- 
gation, and  then  rode  about  five  miles,  to  David  Allen's. 

Thursday. — Spent  the  forenoon  in  conversation  with  my  old  acquain- 
tances, and  in  the  afternoon  preached  to  a  number  of  the  neighbors. 

Friday. — Travelled  about  twelve  miles,  to  Edward  Cook's,  where  I 
tarried  till  Sabbath. 

The  third  Sabbath  of  August. — Preached  at  Pentecost's,  to  a  very 
small  congregation.  The  people  had  been  dilatory,  and  had  not  given 
a  proper  warning.  I  tarried  here  till  Wednesday,  when  I  rode  abor  t 
six  miles  further,  and  lodged  that  night  with  my  brother-in-law. 

Thursday  and  Friday — Spent  in  visiting  friends  and  acquaintances. 

Saturday  Morning. — I  travelled  about  sixteen  miles,  to  John  M'Dow- 
ell's,  on  Chartiers,  where  I  stayed  till  Monday  morning. 

The  fourth  Sabbath  of  August. — Preached  at  John  M'Dowell's. 

Monday. — Rode  about  six  miles,  to  Patrick  M'Cullough's,  on  Pidgeon 
Creek. 

Tuesday. — Preached  at  Arthur  Forbise's,  and  lodged  with  Patrick 
Scott." 

He  preached  also  at  Thomas  Cook's,  on  the  following  day. 
Then  returned  to  his  brother-in-law's — remained  over  Sab- 
bath, (the  first  Sabbath  of  September,)  and  preached  at  a 
meeting-house,  on  the  banks  of  the  Monongahela.  The  second 
Sabbath  of  September  he  preached  at  Fort  Pitt,  lodging  with 
Mr.  Ormsby.  Thence  he  set  out  homeward,  and  reached  his 
father's  house  in  October,  1775.  He  then  attended  Presby- 
tery, and  was  again  appointed  to  visit  Augusta  and  West- 
moreland.    Accordingly,  in  November,  he  took  his  second 


THE    REV.    DR.    JOHN    M'MILLAN.  183 

journey  to  Virginia,  passed  througli  Winchester  and  Staun- 
ton, and  continued  in  Augusta  until  January,  1776.  We  give 
another  extract  from  his  Journal,  respecting  this  visit  to  Vir- 
ginia ;  which,  while  it  may  be  passed  over  by  some  of  our 
readers,' will,  perhaps,  be  read  with  interest  in  that  quarter, 
should  this  Work  ever  wander  so  far  South. 

"  Tuesday,  (after  the  second  Sabbath  of  November,  1775.) — Got  my 
horse  shod — set  out  on  my  journey  for  Augusta — passed  through  York, 
and  after  travelling  about  26  miles,  we  came  to  the  Buck,  where  we 
tarried  all  night. 

Wednesday.  —  Got  free  lodging  last  niglit  —  this  day  passed  through 
M'Allister'stown,  Lytle'stown,  and  Taneytown  ;  and,  in  the  evening, 
after  having  travelled  43  miles,  came  to  Bentley'stown,  where  we  tar- 
ried all  night. 

Thursday. — Passed  through  Fredericktown  —  crossed  Monockosy  and 
Potomac,  and  lodged  at  Mr,  Harper's.  This  day  we  travelled  about  31 
miles. 

Friday. — After  having  travelled  about  34  miles,  and  passed  through 
Winchester,  we  came  to  John  Gilkeson's.  But  he  having  a  husking 
frolic,  we  thought  it  improper  to  tarry  all  night.  However,  we  left  our 
horses  there,  and  walked  over  to  Robert  Wilson's.  I  thought  to  have 
taken  off  my  boots,  as  they  were  inconvenient  to  walk  in,  but  upon 
examining  my  saddle-bags  I  found  I  had  no  shoes. 

Saturday.  —  The  Sabbath  drawing  near,  I  found  that  I  could  not 
reach  any  other  congregation  in  time  to  give  the  people  any  warning. 
Therefore,  concluded  to  remain  until  Monday. 

SabhatJi,  (the  third  in  November.)  —  Preached  at  Opequon  meeting- 
house, and  lodged  with  John  Gilkeson. 

Monday. — Passed  through  Stephen'sburgh,  Stoverstown,  and  Millers- 
town — crossed  Shenandoah,  and  after  travelling  48  miles,  we  came  to  a 
Dutchman's,  where  we  tarried  all  night. 

Tuesday. — We  rode  this  day  35  miles  —  crossed  the  North  river,  and 
lodged  at  widow  Watson's. 

Wednesday.  —  About  noon,  came  to  Staunton;  where,  it  being  Court 
time,  I  met  with  a  number  of  my  old  acquaintances,  who  professed 
great  joy  to  see  me.  I  stayed  in  town  till  towards  evening,  and  then 
rode  to  John  Trimble's.     This  day  I  travelled  about  22  miles. 

Thursday.  —  Continued  at  Mr.  Trimble's. 

Friday. — Went  to  John  Moffat's. 

Saturday. — Returned  to  Mr.  Trimble's;  and,  in  the  evening,  Benja- 
min Brown  brought  me  a  pair  of  shoes,  for  which  I  paid  him  Ss. 


184  A  SKETCH    OF   THE    LIFE    OF 

SahhatJi,  (the  fourth  in  November.)— Preached  at  the  North  mountain, 
and  lodged  with  Matthew  Thompson. 

Monday. — This  day  I  rode  in  company  with  John  Thompson  about 
16  miles,  to  see  my  uncle  on  Back  creek ;  found  them  all  well. 

Tuesday.  —  This  morning  proving  very  stormy,  we  thought  it  most 
convenient  to  return  again  to  the  settlements,  and  accordingly  I  took 
leave  of  my  relations ;  and  though  it  snowed  excessively,  we  set  to  the 
road,  and  in  the  evening  came  again  to  Matthew  Thompson's. 

Wednesday. — "Went  to  Hugh  Torbet's  —  from  thence  to  Alexander 
Mitchell's,  where  I  tarried  all  night. 

Thursday.  —  Came  to  Joseph  Blair's. 

Friday,  (1st  Dec.) — Rode  to  John  Moffat's  in  the  evening  —  got  a 
tooth  pulled  by  Wendal  Bright — tarried  here  until  Sabbath,  and  began 
to  write  a  sermon  on  Matthew  xvi.  26. 

Sahhath,  (the  first  in  December.) — Preached  at  the  Stone  meeting- 
house ;  and,  in  the  evening,  rode  in  to  Staunton,  in  company  with  Mrs. 
Reed — lodged  at  Mr.  Reed's. 

Monday. — I  left  town — called  at  Mr.  Trimble's,  and  lodged  with  Mr. 
Moffat.     This  evening  I  began  a  sermon  on  Luke  xiii.  5. 

Tuesday. — This  day  I  spent  chiefly  in  study. 

Wednesday. — This  day  I  moved  my  camp  to  Wm.  M'Phuter's. 

Thursday  and  Friday.  —  Continued  at  the  same  place,  spending  my 
time  chiefly  in  study,  and  finished  my  sermon  on  Luke  xiii.  b." 

Thus  the  journal  proceeds ;  and  by  its  statements  we  can 
trace  his  course,  his  labors,  and  his  studies,  on  his  way 
back  —  down  the  valley  —  and  thence  to  Winchester;  and 
thence,  in  the  depths  of  winter,  over  the  Alleghany  moun- 
tains. On  New  Year's  day,  1776,  he  had  preached  at  Peter 
Hanger's  to  a  large  assembly,  and  next  day  set  out  down  the 
valley;  and  having  preached  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  that  year 
at  Opequon,  and  lodged  at  night  with  Mr.  Holliday,  he  set  off 
on  Tuesday  for  the  mountains.  Mr.  Gray  went  with  him  part 
of  the  way  —  dined  at  Mr.  Hog's,  and  lodged  that  night  at 
Robert  White's.  The  second  Sabbath  of  January  he  spent  in 
Romney:  "This  morning,"  when  he  was  in  Romney,  "Mr. 
Manning,  the  parson  of  this  parish,  came,  contrary  to  the 
expectations  of  the  people,  and  would  preach,  though  re- 
quested by  the  people  not  to  do  it.  After  he  had  gone 
through  his  service,  as  he  calls  it,  and  preached  a  short  ser- 


THE    REV.    DR.    JOIIX    M'MILLAN.  185 

mon,  I  also  preached  in  my  turn."  His  journey  over  the 
mountains  was  attended  with  much  exposure  and  suffering. 
Ilis  horse  one  day  got  away  from  him,  and  compelled  him  to 
walk  many  miles,  but  he  at  length  recovered  him.  At  length 
he  arrived  at  Charticrs  and  Pigeon  creek.  Here  he  preached 
on  the  fourth  Sabbath  in  January,  1776,  and  on  the  following 
Sabbath  at  Chartiers.  He  continued  dividing  his  time  be- 
tween these  two  places  until  the  latter  end  of  March,  when 
he  returned  to  Fagg's  Manor. 

His  second  visit  seemed  to  have  awakened  great  interest  in 
these  places.  There  are  notices  in  his  journal,  of  his  con- 
gregations being  often  "  numerous,  very  attentive,  and  much 
affected."  Soon  after  his  return — a  call  was  prepared,  pre- 
sented, and  accepted  by  him,  at  the  Presbytery  of  New  Castle, 
April  22d,  1776.  He  was  then  dismissed  to  join  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Donegal,  which  met  at  Chambersburg,  10th  of 
June,  1776,  when  he  was  ordained  with  a  view  to  take  charge 
of  these  congregations.  The  Presbytery  of  Donegal  included 
the  whole  territory  west  of  the  mountains,  and  of  course 
embraced  the  congregations  of  Chartiers  and  Pigeon  Creek. 
After  his  ordination,  he  spent  most  of  the  ensuing  summer 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Fagg's  Manor.  On  the  6th  of  xVugust, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Catherine  Brown,  (youngest  child  of 
William  Brown,  a  ruling  elder  in  the  church  of  Upper 
Brandywine,)  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Carmichael.  This  excellent 
woman  was  peculiarly  qualified  to  be  his  companion  and  helper 
in  the  important  stations  he  was  to  occupy. 

Mr.  M'Millan  did  not  immediately  remove  to  the  West,  it 
being  in  the  time  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  the  Indians 
being  troublesome,  he  was  prevented  from  removing  his 
family  to  his  congregation  until  November  1778.  He,  how- 
*ever,  "  visited  them  as  often  as  he  could,  ordained  elders, 
baptized  their  children,  and  took  as  much  care  of  them  as 
circumstances  would  permit."  After  he  at  length  ventured 
to  bring  them,  he  gives  the  following  account  of  the  new  scene 
into  which  he  and  his  family  were  now  brought — in  a  letter 
to  Dr.  Carnahan,  dated  Chartiers,  March  26th  1832. 


186  A   SKETCH    OF   THE    LIFE    OF 

"When  I  came  to  this  country,  the  cabin  in  which  I  was  to  live,  was 
raised,  but  there  was  no  roof  to  it,  nor  any  chimney,  nor  floor.  The 
people,  however,  were  very  kind  ;  they  assisted  me  in  preparing  my 
house,  and  on  the  IGth  of  December,  I  removed  into  it.  But  we  had 
neither  bedstead,  nor  tables,  nor  stool,  nor  chair,  nor  bucket.  All  these 
things  we  had  to  leave  behind  us,  as  there  was  no  wagon  road,  at  that 
time,  over  the  mountains.  "We  could  bring  nothing  with  us  but  what 
was  carried  on  pack-horses.  We  placed  two  boxes,  one  on  the  other, 
which  served  us  for  a  table,  and  two  kegs  served  us  for  seats  ;  and  having 
committed  ourselves  to  God,  in  family  worship,  we  spread  a  bed  on  the 
floor,  and  slept  soundly  till  morning.  The  next  day  a  neighbor  coming 
to  my  assistance,  we  made  a  table  and  stool,  and  in  a  little  time,  had 
everything  comfortable  about  us.  Sometimes,  indeed,  we  had  no  bread 
for  weeks  together ;  but  we  had  plenty  of  pumpkins  and  potatoes,  and 
all  the  necessaries  of  life ;  as  for  luxuries,  we  were  not  much  concerned 
about  them.  We  enjoyed  health,  the  gospel  and  its  ordinances,  and 
pious  friends.  We  were  in  the  place  where  we  believed  God  would  have 
us  to  be  ;  and  we  did  not  doubt  but  that  He  would  provide  everything 
necessary,  and,  glory  to  his  name,  we  were  not  disappointed." 

He  immediately  entered  upon  liis  arduous  labors.  The 
circumstances  in  which  he  was  placed,  rendered  it  necessary 
to  work  "  with  his  own  hands,"  chopping  down  timber,  felling 
the  sturdy  oaks,  and  wielding  the  mattock,  the  hoe,  and  the 
plow.  He  was  a  man  of  vigorous  bodily  powers,  and  few  of 
his  neighbors  could  excel  him  in  handling  the  axe  and  the 
maul.*  He  did  not,  however,  suffer  these  necessary  toils  to 
prevent  his  careful  preparation  for  his  labors  on  the  Sabbath. 
He  studied  carefully  his  sermons,  generally  wrote  them  out 
in  full  and  committed  them  to  memory.  This  was  his  practice 
through  his  whole  future  life.  "Dr.  M'Millan,"  says  Dr.  M. 
Brown  in  an  unpublished  sketch  of  his  life,  "  having  been  now 
permanently  located,  entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  station, 
which  were  various  and  arduous,  calling  forth  all  his  energies 
of  body  and  mind.f     For  some  time  it  was  necessary  to  en- 

*  Dr.  M'Millan  once  remarked  to  a  friend,  that  he  had  not,  from  his 
earliest  recollection,  been  confined  half-a-day  by  sickness,  during  his 
whole  life ! 

t  Shortly  after  he  settled  at  Chartiers,  he  made  an  appointment  on 
the  Sabbath,  at  Parkinson's  Ferry,  where  Monongahela  City  now  stands ; 


THE  REV.   DR.  JOIIX    m'millax.  187 

gage  in  providing  tlie  necessaries  of  life,  and  making  such 
improvements  in  building,  and  clearing  the  ground,  as  Avere 
indispensable.  These,  however,  he  did  not  at  any  time  allow 
to  interfere  with  his  more  important  duties  as  a  minister  of 
the  gospel.  He  labored  in  two  congregations,  and  carefully 
prepared  written  sermons,  which  he  memorised. 

He  not  only  attended  to  the  duties  of  his  own  extensive 
charge,  but  frequently  was  called  to  officiate  in  destitute 
places,  organize  churches  and  dispense  the  ordinances  among 
them.  His  labors  in  the  ministry  were  soon  crowned  with 
abundant  success,  as  were  those  of  his  compeers ;  and  in  a 
few  years  the  wilderness  became  a  fruitful  field.  The  Spirit 
of  God  accompanied  the  word  preached,  and  converts  were 
multiplied." 

The  following  is  the  account  which  Dr.  M'Millan  gave  to 
Dr.  Carnahan  in  the  letter  already  quoted,  respecting  the 
gracious  visitations  of  Divine  Influence  to  the  field  of  his 
pastoral  labors. — "  The  first  remarkable  season  of  the  out- 
pouring of  the  spirit  which  we  enjoyed  in  this  congregation, 
began  about  the  middle  of  December,  1781.  It  made  its  first 
appearance  among  a  few  who  met  together  for  social  worship, 
on  the  evening  of  a  thanksgiving  day  which  had  been  ap- 
pointed by  Congress.  This  encouraged  us  to  appoint  other 
meetings  for  the  same  purpose,  on  sabbath  evenings ;  and  the 
appearance  still  increasing,  Sabbath-night  societies  were  con- 
tinued with  little  interruption,  for  nearly  two  years.  It  was 
then  usual  to  spend  the  whole  night  in  religious  exercises ; 

and  on  the  Saturday  evening  previQus,  at  Ginger  Hill,  four  miles  west 
of  the  Ferry.  At  this  latter  place,  his  horse  having  been  put  out  to 
pasture,  strayed  off  and  could  not  be  found  in  the  morning.  After 
considerable  search,  without  success,  Mr.  M'Millun  proceeded  on  foot 
and  fulfilled  liis  appointment  at  Parkinson's  Ferry,  returned  to  Ginger 
Hill  and  preached  there  in  the  afternoon,  agreeably  to  an  appointment 
made  the  preceding  evening;  after  which  he  walked  home  nine  miles — 
having  preached  twice  and  walked  seventeen  miles  in  all. 

Judge  Gordon,  of  Monongahela  City,  informed  us  of  a  similar  feat 
of  the  Doctor,  not  at  all  inferior  to  this. 


188  A  SKETCn    OF   THE    LIFE    OF 

nor  did  the  time  seem  tedious,  for  the  Lord  was  there,  and 
his  work  went  pleasantly  on.  Many  were  pricked  to  the 
heart  with  deep  convictions ;  and  a  goodly  number,  we  hope, 
were  brought  to  close  the  happy  match  with  precious  Christ. 
At  the  first  sacramental  occasion  after  the  work  began,  forty- 
five  were  added  to  the  church ;  many  of  whom  continued 
bringing  forth  the  fruits  of  righteousness,  and  filling  important 
offices  in  the  church,  until  they  were  removed  to  the  world 
of  spirits.  This  time  of  refreshing  continued  in  a  greater  or 
less  degree  till  1794.  Upon  every  sacramental  occasion 
during  that  period,  numbers  were  added  to  the  church,  who 
gave  comfortable  evidence  of  their  having  obtained  a  saving 
change  of  heart.  But  as  I  neglected  to  keep  a  register  of 
their  names,  I  cannot  now  ascertain  their  number. 

"  The  next  remarkable  season  of  the  outpourings  of  God's 
spirit  was  in  1795.  This,  however,  was  not  very  extensive 
nor  of  long  continuance ;  yet  during  this  year  about  fifty 
were  added  to  the  church,  most  of  whom  continued  by  their 
walk  and  conversation,  to  manifest  that  they  had  experienced 
a  real  change  of  heart ;  and  some  of  them  became  successful 
preachers  of  the  gospel,  though  there  were  some  lamentable 
instances  of  apostacy. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  1799,  the  Lord  again  revived  his 
work  in  this  congregation.  Many  were  at  once  awakened  to 
a  serious  concern  about  their  immortal  souls,  and  made  to  in- 
quire the  way  to  Zion,  with  their  faces  thitherward,  weeping 
as  they  went.  Of  those  who  were  thus  awakened,  about  sixty 
joined  the  church,  and  made  a  profession  of  religion.  This 
revival,  as  well  as  that  of  1795,  was  carried  on  without  much 
external  appearance,  except  a  solemn  attention  and  silent 
weeping  under  the  preaching  of  the  Word.  From  that  time 
until  the  fall  of  the  year  1802,  religion  was  evidently  on  the 
decline  ;  for  though  some  were  every  year  added  to  the  church, 
yet  they  were  generally  such  as  had  been  brought  under 
serious  impressions  in  1799,  and  there  were  few  or  none 
awakened.     Sinners  became  more  bold  in  sin,  and  floods  of. 


THE    REV.    DR.    JOHN    M'MILLAN.  189 

vanity  and  carnality  seemed  likely  to  carry  all  before  them. 
Even  the  pious  themselves  became  very  weak  and  feeble  in 
the  cause  of  Christ,  and  much  buried  in  the  world — insomuch, 
that  when  God  returned  to  build  up  Zion,  it  might  in  truth 
be  said,  we  were  as  men  that  dream.  Many  stood  astonished, 
not  knowing  what  to  make  of  it,  and  but  few  were  prepared 
to  meet  the  Lord,  and  bid  him  welcome.  This  work  differed 
from  former  revivals  only  in  this,  that  the  body  was  more 
generally  affected.*  As  far  as  I  could  observe,  the  bodily 
exercise  never  preceded,  but  always  followed  upon  the  mind's 
being  deeply  affected  with  some  divine  truth.  Between  fifty 
and  sixty  joined  the  church  as  the  fruits  of  this  revival  f  — a 
number  of  wdiom  were  students  in  the  College,  and  now 
preaching  the  gospel  of  Christ  to  their  dying  fellow-men. 
Since  that  time,  religion  has  been  on  the  decline,  though  "Still 
we  are  not  left  without  some  tokens  of  the  Divine  presence. 
At  every  sacramental  occasion  sonae  have  come  out  from  the 
world,  and  professed  to  take  the  Lord  for  their  portion." 

Such  is  the  account  which  Dr.  M'Millan,  in  his  eightieth 
year,  gave  his  friend  of  what  the  Lord  had  done  for  him,  and 
with  him. 

We  would  remark  that,  like  all  his  fellow-laborers,  in  those 
seasons,  he  exercised  great  prudence  and  care,  giving  no 
countenance,  by  precept  or  example,  to  any  thing  like  ex- 
travagance or  wild-fire — and  watching  with  his  session,  care- 

*  "  It  was  no  unusual  thing  to  see  persons  so  entirely  deprived  of 
bodily  strength,  that  they  would  fall  from  their  seats,  or  off  their  feet, 
and  be  as  unable  to  help  themselves  as  a  new-born  child.  I  have  seen 
some  lying  in  this  condition  for  hours  who  yet  said  they  could  hear 
every  thing  that  was  spoken ;  and  yet  their  minds  were  composed  and 
more  cap%ble  of  attending  to  divine  things,  than  when  their  bodies  were 
not  thus  affected/' — Mamiscript  of  Dr.  M'MiUan. 

t  After  the  close  of  the  revival  which  began  in  1802,  though  upon 
every  sacramental  occasion,  some  joined  the  church — yet  nothing  very 
remarkable  took  place  until  the  year  1823,  when  God  again  visited  this 
dry  and  parched  congregation  with  a  shower  of  divine  influences. 


190  A    SKETCn    OF   THE    LIFE   OF 

fully,  the  entrance  door  of  the  church.  He  also  labored  dili- 
gently, all  his  life,  in  instructing  his  people,  and  catechising 
the  children  and  youth.  Meetings  in  different  neighborhoods 
were  held,  for  doctrinal  examination  and  instruction^  during 
the  course  of  each  alternate  winter — the  other  winter  would 
be  devoted  to  pastoral  visitation.  At  an  early  period,  he 
directed  his  attention  towards  the  preparation  of  suitable 
young  men,  of  piety  and  talents,  for  the  gospel  ministry.  It 
has  been  said,  though  he  has  not  so  stated  himself,  that  his 
school  began  within  a  year  after  he  removed  his  family  to  the 
West.  If  his  efforts,  in  this  way,  were  not  quite  so  early  as 
those  of  Mr.  Dod  and  Mr.  Smith,  they  were  much  longer 
continued ;  and  it  would  appear  that  many  of  those  who  had 
been  studying  with  the  former  brethren,  repaired  to  Dr. 
M'Millan's,  and  were  under  his  instruction,  both  as  to  part 
of  their  literary  course  and  as  to  their  theological  training. 
He  was  selected  by  the  Synod  of  Virginia  to  manage  and 
take  charge  of  the  institution  which,  by  their  appointment, 
was  entrusted  to  the  superintendence  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Redstone. 

This  institution,  with  his  consent,  and  the  concurrence  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Redstone,  though  not  by  the  direction  or 
special  authority  of  the  Synod,  was  located,  within  a  year 
after  it  was  thus  originated,  in  Canonsburg,  and  became 
merged  into  the  Academy  of  that  place  in  1791-2.  How  far 
the  original  plan  and  object  of  the  Synod  were  carried  out 
by  this  measure  we  will  not  stop  to  inquire.  Perhaps  there 
were  various  interests  to  be  consulted  and  to  be  harmonised 
by  the  direction  which  the  whole  matter  took.  The  friends 
of  ecclesiastical  supervision  should  be  cautious,  we  think,  in 
censuring  Dr.  M'Millan  and  the  Old  Redstone  Presbytery 
for  not  more  literally  carrying  out  the  original  device  of  the 
Synod  of  Virginia. 

In  regard  to  the  other  institution,  placed  under  the  care 
of  Mr.  Graham,  in  Rockbridge,  matters  took  precisely  the 


THE    REV.    DR.    JOHN    M'MILLAN.  101 

same  course.  That  school  was  soon  merged  into  AVashinrrton 
College,  of  Lexington. 

Both  institutions  passed  out  of  the  hands  and  control  of 
the  church.  No  one  has  a  right  to  condemn  or  complain, 
unless  he  is  thoroughly  acquainted  with  all  the  facts  of  the 
case.  Indeed,  for  GO  years  Jefferson  College  has  been  a 
thorough  Presbyterian  institution,  and  is  so  now. 

Dr.  M'Millan  strove,  in  the  outset,  to  have  that  school  lo- 
cated near  him.  (See  the  Rev.  R.  Patterson's  Letter  to 
Dr.  Brown,  published  in  the  Advocate,  1845.)  If  he  yielded 
to  the  views  of  others,  he  no  doubt  acted  conscientiously.  If 
his  own  wishes  were  thwarted,  and  for  a  short  time  he  felt  his 
zeal  for  the  academy  a  little  abated,  and  did  not  take  a  very 
prominent  or  active  part  in  its  transactions  for  the  first  year 
or  two,  as  we  think  is  evident  from  its  early  Records,  he  sub- 
sequently lent  his  efficient  and  powerful  patronage  to  this 
institution ;  and  when  it,  at  length,  became  a  chartered  Col- 
lege, he  was  its  most  steady  and  effectual  friend,  through  his 
long  life.  Jefferson  College  owes  an  immeasurable  debt  of 
gratitude  to  Dr.  M'Millan ;  and  of  course  the  cause  of  science 
and  literature  must  ever  regard  him  as  one  of  its  earliest  and 
most  valuable  patrons  and  supporters.  Those  who  preceded 
him  a  year  or  two,  or  at  least  were  his  coevals,  in  the  enter- 
prise of  getting  up  "Latin  schools,"  were  soon  called  to  their 
rest.  Messrs.  Dod  and  Smith  were  in  their  graves  when  the 
Academy  at  Canonsburg  fairly  commenced  its  career.  The 
latter,  there  is  reason  to  believe,  was  principally  instrumental 
in  getting  the  Synod  to  appoint  Dr.  M'Millan  at  the  head  of 
the  Synodical  institution  that  was  merged  into  that  Academy. 
AVhen,  a  few  years  before,  he  gave  up  his  school  at  Buffalo, 
for.  want  of  health,  and  the  pressure  of  pastoral  duties,  in  the 
midst  of  a  constant  and  long-continued  revival — the  young 
men  who  were  in  his  school  went  over  to  Dr.  ^I'Millan's 
"Log  Cabin."  Among  these  were  James  Hughes,  John 
Brice,  James  M'Gready,  Samuel  Porter,  and  Thomas  Mar- 


192  A   SKETCH    OF   THE   LIFE    OF 

quis.  Dr.  3P3IilIa7i  mentions  these  as  1  lis  first  scholars.  "We 
have  evidence  that  they  had  previously  been  with  Mr.  Smith, 
and  some  of  them'  also  with  Mr.  Dod.  * 

*  It  is  singular  how  much  error,  especially  of  anachronism,  has  per- 
vaded the  fountains  of  future  history  about  Jefferson  College.  Take, 
for  instance,  the  following  specimen  from  Day's  Hist.  Coll.  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, page  6G8 : 

"  The  Rev.  Dr.  M'Millan,  justly  called  the  father  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  here,  settled  in  the  County  about  the  year  1773,  and  was,  for 
more  than  fifty  years,  the  pastor  of  the  Chartiers  congregation,  which 
he  collected.  AVith  the  commencement  of  his  labors,  he  began  to  lay 
the  foundation  of  a  literary  institution  at  Canonsburg,  and  which,  with 
the  blessing  of  God,  he  intended  should  be  a  nursery  for  the  Church,  as 
well  as  the  State.  This  was  the  first  literary  institution  west  of  the 
mountains.  It  originated  in  a  small  log  cabin,  where  the  first  Latin 
School  was  taught  by  the  Hon.  James  Ross,  of  Pittsburg,  under  the 
patronage  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  M'Millan.  The  number  of  students  having 
increased,  a  comfortable  stone  building  was  erected  in  1790.  The 
Canonsburg  Academy  was  then  instituted,"  &c. 

Now  this  statement  contains  almost  as  many  errors  as  there  are  lines 
in  it.  Dr.  M'Millan,  speaking  of  the  origin  of  his  school,  says,"^  "Ac- 
cordingly I  collected  a  few  who  gave  evidence  of  piety,  and  instructed 
them  in  the  knowledge  of  the  Latin  and  Greek,  &c.,  viz. :  James 
Hughes,  John  Brice,  James  M'Gready,  Samuel  Porter,"  &c.  These 
were  a  part  of  the  materials  with  which,  he  says,  his  school  began. 
But  these  had  been  either  with  Mr.  Dod  or  Mr.  Smith,  in  their  schools, 
before  they  came  to  this  school  at  Dr.  M'Millan's,  in  the  years  1784-5. 
This  is  capable  of  the  clearest  proof,  from  various  sources.  Then  this 
school  which  Dr.  M'Millan  collected,  consisting  of  these  young  men,  as 
he  expressly  states,  could  not  possibly  have  begun  till  after  1785. 
This  writer  places  the  Doctor's  settlement  back  two  years  before  ever 
he  saw  the  West.  He  moreover  tells  us,  his  school  was  nearly  coeval 
with  that  date.  And  then  he  makes  the  Canonsburg  Academy  to 
originate  in  the  log  cahin  school,  and  speaks  of  the  latter  increasing, 
so  as  to  give  rise  to  the  other,  and  the  erection  of  a  new  building,  &c. 
Nothing  can  be  more  incorrect.  The  Academy  did  not  originate  in 
the  Latin  School  at  the  "log  cabin,"  but  was  begun  independently  of  it, 
and  superseded  it,  and  caused  its  suspension.  "  I  had  still  a  few  with 
me,"  says  Dr.  M'Millan,  "  when  the  Academy  was  opened  at  Canons- 

*  Original  MS.  of  Dr.  M'Millan,  in  our  possession. 


THE    REV.    Dll.    JOHN    M'MILLAX.  193 

Dr.  M'Millan  was  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Redstone  when  it  was  formed,  in  1781.  During 
the  twelve  years  of  its  undivided  state,  he  was  most  punctual 
in  attending  its  sessions.  He  is  scarcely  ever  reported  absent. 
And  when  the  Presbytery,  in  1789,  was  attached  to  the  Synod 
of  Virginia,  he  attended  the  meetings  of  the  Synod  several 
times,  though  it  cost  him  long  and  fatiguing  journeys  across 
the  mountains.  In  1793,  he  and  Messrs.  Patterson,  J.  Hughes, 
and  Brice,  were  formed  into  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio,  of  which 
he  continued  a  member  till  his  death.  When  the  Synod  of 
Pittsburg  was  constituted  and  held  its  first  meeting,  Septem- 
ber 29th,  1802,  "  the  Rev.  James  Power,  who  was  appointed 
to  open  the  Synod,  being  sick,  it  was  opened  by  the  Rev. 
John  M'Millan  with  a  sermon  on  Rom.  viii.  6."  He  was 
often,  also,  a  commissioner  to  the  General  Assembly.  Per- 
haps no  man  has  ever  set  a  better  example  in  his  punctual 
attendance  upon  the  judicatories  of  the  church.  And  his 
thorough  acquaintance  with  the  business  of  such  meetings 
always  gave  him  immense  influence.  He  was  called  to  pass 
through  many  remarkable  scenes,  and  to  encounter  some 
severe  trials.  In  common  with  his  brethren  and  their  fami- 
lies and  people,  he,  with  his  family,  was,  for  many  years  after 
his  settlement  in  the  AVest,  subject  to  great  annoyance  from 
their  savage  foes.  He  was  more  than  once  compelled  to  seek 
for  himself,  his  wife  and  children,  the  shelter  of  a  fort.    And 

burg,  and  finding  that  I  could  not  teach,  and  do  justice  to  my  congre- 
tion,  I  gave  it  up,  and  sent  them  there."  '^  Other  errors  here  it  is  un- 
necessary to  notice.  See  also  "  Life  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Smith,"  in  this 
volume,  p.  122. 

*■  "William  Darby,  Esq.,  in  a  letter  dated  "Washington  [City],  December  15th, 
18&0,"  says,  "  Through  1789,  and  part  of  1790,  I  resided  in  the  Murdock  faulily, 
who  resided  in  East  Chartiers,  directly  opposite  Mr.  M'Millan's.  That  family, 
you  know,  were  Seceders,  and  members  of  Mr.  Matthew  Henderson's  congrega- 
tion ;  therefore,  as  I  attended  with  the  members  of  the  family,  I  passed  with  them, 
every  Sabbath-day,  past  the  house  and  school-house.  I  often  passed  there,  how- 
ever, on  week-days.  Though  the  Academy  was  then  established  in  Canonsburg, 
the  School  was  still  in  operation — but  when  discontinued,  I  cannot  etate." 

13 


194  A   SKETCH    OF   THE    LIFE    OF 

here,  like  Messrs.  Dod  and  Smith,  he  also  often  preached, 
and  prayed,  and  labored  for  the  salvation  of  souls.  These 
brethren  enjoyed  some  refreshing  seasons  in  their  forts  and 
with  their  neighbors,  confined  like  themselves.  Like  Paul 
and  Silas,  they  "  prayed  and  sang  praises  to  God,  and  the 
prisoners  heard  them."  It  would  be  interesting  to  record  the 
incidents  of  such  a  passage  in  the  life  of  Dr.  M'Millan ;  to 
give  the  details  of  his  hurried  departure  with  his  family  to 
the  fort ;  to  tell  how  the  news  reached  them  of  their  danger, 
and  how,  with  the  children,  his  wife  and  himself  would  hastily 
hurry  away  from  their  cabin,  &c. :  but  the  Doctor  kept  no 
journal  of  such  things ;  and  those  who  could  have  told  us  of 
these  scenes  are  all  gone  to  where  the  wicked  cease  from 
troubling. 

This  source  of  vexation  and  anxiety  was  scarcely  removed 
by  the  final  termination  of  all  Indian  troubles,  in  consequence 
of  General  Wayne's  complete  victory,  when  the  troubles  of 
the  "  Whiskey  Insurrection  "  broke  out  in  1794.  Few  of  our 
early  ministers  suffered  more  annoyance  from  this  source  than 
Dr.  M'Millan;  and  none  acquitted  themselves  more  nobly 
than  did  he  in  the  firm  and  decided  stand  which  he  took 
against  that  popular  commotion,  and  in  favor  of  order  and 
obedience  to  the  laws.  But  a  full  account  of  this  we  will 
give  in  another  part  of  this  work.  We  will  only  here  remark 
that  the  West  owes  much  to  Dr.  M'Millan  for  the  effectual 
aid  which  he  rendered  in  bringing  that  unhappy  affair  to  a 
peaceful  termination. 

Another  trial  of  the  faith  and  patience  of  this  eminent  ser- 
vant of  God  occurred  in  1802 ;  but  one  of  a  more  domestic 
nature.  Two  young  ministers  of  great  promise  had  married 
two  of  his  daughters.  The  Rev.  John  Watson,  the  first  presi- 
dent of  Jefferson  college  under  the  charter,  had  married  his 
second  daughter,  Margaret.  The  Rev.  Wm.  Morehead  had 
married  his  eldest  daughter,  Jane.  For  a  time,  the  prospect 
for  enlarged  domestic  and  social  enjoyment  shone  brightly  on 
the  Dr.  and  his  family ;  but  by  the  all- wise,  yet  deeply  myste- 


THE    REV.    DR.    .lOIIX    M'MILLAN.  195 

rious  Providence  of  God,  these  two  ministers,  who  had  been 
married  to  two  sisters  by  their  father,  on  the  same  day — took 
sick  on  the  same  day — died  on  the  same  day — and  wore  buried 
in  the  same  grave  at  Chartiers  !  The  two  funeral  processions, 
one  coming  from  the  house  of  Dr.  M'Millan,  the  other  from 
the  village  of  Canonsburg,  met  at  the  same  point  where  tlie 
roads  united,  a  few  hundred  yards  from  the  grave-yard.  It 
was  doubtless  a  sore  trial  to  Dr.  M'Millan,  and  his  wife,  and 
his  bereaved  children ;  but  there  is  reason  to  believe  it  was  a 
sanctified  affliction  to  them  all.  Perhaps  the  usefulness  and 
success  of  Dr.  M'Millan's  ministry  were  thereby  greatly  in- 
creased. And  if  he  found  abundant  consolation  in  the  pro- 
gress and  fruits  of  the  glorious  revival  that  had  begun  a  short 
time  before  in  his  charges,  this  affliction,  perhaps,  was  made 
instrumental  in  qualifying  him  anew  for  the  arduous  work 
before  him,  and  in  giving  an  impulse  to  the  whole  work.  Thus 
does  God  magnify  his  grace  in  the  afflictions  of  his  ministers. 
"  Whether  we  be  afflicted  it  is  for  your  consolation  and  salva- 
tion, which  is  effectual  in  the  enduring  of  the  same  sufferings 
■which  we  also  suffer  ;  or  whether  we  be  comforted,  it  is  for  your 
consolation  and  salvation."  * 

But  Dr.  M'Millan,  two  or  three  years  after  this,  met  with 
a  source  of  annoyance  and  trouble  of  a  very  different  charac- 
ter, and  perhaps  more  trying  to  him  than  even  the  death  of 
his  sons-in-law,  and  the  bereavement  of  his  children. 

In  common  with  his  brethren,  he  had  been  much  annoyed 
years  before,  at  different  times,  with  ministerial  adventurers 
who  had  come  out  into  the  western  settlements  —  some  of 
them  irregular  in  their  conduct  —  some  of  them  suspended 
ministers,  and  one  of  them  with  forged  credentials.  The 
records  of  the  old  Presbytery  of  Pedstone  will  show  what 
trouble  such  men  as  Messrs.  Barr  and  Ilughey,  and  the  Mor- 
risons and  Cooly,  had  given  them  and  the  churches.  But 
about  1800,  a  man  of  the  name  of  Birch,  a  Presbyterian 
minister  from  Ireland,  came  into  the  bounds  of  the  Presby- 

*  2  Corinthians  i.  G, 


196  A   SKETCH    OF   THE   LIFE    OF 

tery,  and  for  some  time  resided  in  Washington  County.  His 
conduct  evinced  that  he  was  not  only  destitute  of  piety,  but 
strongly  suspected  of  habitual  intemperance.  Dr.  M'Millan, 
whose  failinir  all  his  life  was  a  little  too  much  bluntness  of 
manner  and  expression,  and  who  hated  everything  like  hypo- 
crisy and  ministerial  inconsistency  of  character,  was  tempted 
to  express  himself  without  much  reserve  as  to  his  opinion  of 
this  man.*  These  things  coming  to  the  ears  of  Mr.  Birch, 
he  brought  charges  against  Dr.  M'Millan  before  the  Presby- 
tery of  Ohio.  The  Presbytery  acquitted  Dr.  M'Millan,  with 
the  exception  of  one  expression  which  he  had  used,  and  to 
their  censure  for  that  he  cheerfully  and  humbly  submitted. 
Mr.  Birch  was  dissatisfied  with  this  issue  of  the  matter,  and 
gave  notice  of  his  intention  to  appeal  to  the  higher  judicato- 
ries of  the  church.  But  he  changed  his  mind,  and  brought 
suit  against  Dr.  M'Millan  for  slander  in  the  civil  court  of 
Washington  County.  It  was  tried  in  October,  1804,  and  the 
suit  was  gained  by  Birch. f  An  appeal  was  immediately  taken 
to  the  Supreme  Court  by  Dr.  M'Millan's  counsel,  the  princi- 
pal of  whom  was  the  Hon.  James  Boss,  once  the  Doctor's 
pupil.  Here  the  decision  of  the  lower  court  was  reversed, 
and  Dr.  M'Millan  was  acquitted.  As  the  whole  case  is  full 
of  interest,  and  one  which,  in  our  judgment,  does  not  in  the 
least  tarnish  the  memory  of  Dr.  M'Millan,  we  will  here  give  it, 
from  Binney's  Reports,  Vol.  I.,  p.  178. 

^'M^BIillan  against  Birch^  In  Error, 

''Pittsburgh,  Saturday/,  SejA.  ISth,  1806. 

"  This  cause  came  before  the  Court  by  writ  of  error  from  the  Circuit 
Court  of  Washington  County.  It  was  an  action  of  slander  brought  l)y 
Birch  against  M'Millan,  for  calling  him  *a  liar,  a  drunkard,  and  a 
preacher  of  the  Devil.'     The  declaration  stated  that  the  plaintiff  was  a 

*  The  Presbytery  of  Ohio,  after  three  successive  examijoations  in  1800 
and  1801,  rejected  him.     See  their  records. 

t  After  this  most  unrighteous  verdict,  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio,  Dec. 
26th,  1804,  reaffirmed,  in  strong  terms,  their  justification  and  acquittal 
of  Dr.  M'Millan. 


THE    REV.    DR.    JOHN    MCMILLAN.  197 

man  of  Icarniiif;,  integrity,  and  piety;  and  that  for  twonty-ciglit  years 
last  past,  he  had  been,  and  then  was,  a  minister  of  the  gospel  in  the 
Presbyterian  church,  and  had  taken  upon  himself  the  orders  of  the 
same.  It  also  laid  a  special  damage  in  consequence  of  slander,  viz., 
that  the  plaintiflf  was  refused  admission  into  the  Presbytery  of  Hunt- 
ingdon as  a  member.  Picas  —  not  (piilf//,  act  of  limitation,  and  Ju.'ififi- 
cation. 

"  It  was  proved  at  the  trial  of  the  cause,  that  the  plaintiff  was  a 
Presbyterian  minister,  regularly  ordained  in  Ireland  —  that  he  came  to 
the  United  States  in  1798,  and  on  producing  his  credentials  to  the 
standing  committee  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  Philadelphia,  was 
permitted  to  preach  there — that  he  afterwards  came  with  his  family  to 
Washington  County  —  that  upon  an  application  made  to  the  Ohio  Pres- 
bytery, he  was  rejected  for  want  o^  experimental  Ixnoidedge ;  and  that  he 
appealed  from  their  sentence  to  the  General  Assembly,  who,  after  exa- 
mining and  considering  the  case,  did  not  pass  any  censure  on  the  Ohio 
Presbytery,  but  determined  that  they  found  no  ground  why  any  Pres- 
bytery should  not  take  the  plaintiff  up,  and  proceed  with  him  agreeably 
to  the  rules  and  regulations  in  such  cases  provided. 

"  The  plaintiff  afterwards  cited  the  defendant,  who  was  also  a  clergy- 
man, before  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio  to  answer  for  slander  and  for  un- 
christian threatenings.  The  defendant  appeared,  and  was  heard  in  his 
defence.  The  Presbytery  acquitted  the  defendant  of  the  charges  brought 
against  him,  except  for  calling  the  plaintiff  *  a  preacher  of  the  Devil ;' 
for  which  they  reprimanded  the  defendant,  and  he  submitted.  The 
plaintiff  appealed  again  to  the  General  Assembly;  but  apprehending 
that  he  should  not  obtain  a  favorable  decision,  in  consequence  of  his 
having  committed  some  irregularities  in  Washington  County,  by  admi- 
nistering the  sacrament  and  ordaining  elders  in  violation  of  the  rules 
of  the  church,  he  gave  up  his  appeal,  and  withdrew  from  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  General  Assembly:  after  which,  the  Assembly  determined 
that  they  would  have  nothing  more  to  do  with  him,  and  that  he  never 
had  been  in  union  with  the  Presbyterian  church  in  the  United  States, 
80  as  to  be  authorized  to  preach  as  one  of  their  ministers. 

"The  plaintiff  proved  also  as  laid  in  the  Declaration  that  he  failed  in 
his  application  for  admission  into  the  Presbytery  of  Huntingdon, 

"The  words  laid  in  the  Declaration,  or  some  of  them,  were  spoken  of 
and  to  the  plaintiff,  in  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio,  while  the  defendant  was 
making  his  defence  against  the  plaintiff's  charge. 

*'  The  cause  was  heard  before  Judges  Yeates  and  Smith,  in  October, 
1804,  and  the  counsel  for  the  defendant  among  other  things  objected, 
— 1st,  That  the  action  could  not  bo  maintained  by  the  plaintiff,  for  words 
spoken   of  him  in   his   profession   of  a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian 


198  A   SKETCH   OF   THE   LIFE   OF 

Church,  because  the  evidence  showed  that  he  did  not  hold  that  office  ; — 
and  2dlj,  That  words  spoken  by  defendant  in  Presbytery,  while  making 
his  defence  against  the  plaintiff's  charge,  were  not  actionable.  Upon 
both  points  the  court  charged  for  the  plaintiff  and  sealed  a  bill  of  ex- 
ceptions.    The  jury  found  for  the  plaintiff. 

Then  follows  a  report  of  the  arguments  of  counsel  for 
plaintiff  and  defendant. 

"  Chief  Justice  Tilghman,  then,  after  stating  the  facts,  delivered  the 
opinion  of  the  court  as  follows :"  (and  this  opinion  is  deeply  interesting 
to  us  all ;  as  it  settles  great  principles,  and  is  decisive,  in  all  similar 
cases,  to  this  time.) 

"  In  arguing  the  case  before  us,  the  counsel  for  the  plaintiff  in  error, 
(Dr.  M'Millan),  made  four  points  which  it  will  be  necessary  for  us  to  con- 
sider. 1.  That  the  words  spoken  are  not  actionable,  applied  to  persons  in 
general.  2.  That  they  are  not  actionable  when  applied  to  the  plaintiff  on 
the  evidence  in  this  cause.  3.  That  exclusion  from  the  Huntingdon  Pres- 
bytery, is  no  temporal  damage,  nor  such  as  the  law  will  take  notice  of, 
or  suffer  damages  to  be  recovered  for.  4.  That  the  words  spoken  in  his 
defence  before  the  Ohio  Presbytery  are  not  actionable."  (The  first 
three  points  the  court  did  not  sustain,  showing  reasons  at  length  which 
we  need  not  here  transcribe.) 

"  I  come  now  to  the  last  j^oint,  the  only  one  which  is  attended  with 
difficulty.  I  will  proceed  to  offer  my  reasons  for  thinking  that  the  words 
spoken  by  the  defendant  when  making  his  defence  before  the  Presbytery 
are  not  actionable,  I  consider  malice  as  an  essential  ingredient  in 
slander.  If  I  say  of  a  man  that  he  is  a  thief,  or  that  he  committed 
murder,  the  law  implies  malice  in  general ;  and  it  lies  on  me  to  show 
that  there  was  no  malice  in  my  heart.  This  I  may  do  in  various  ways. 
I  may  show  that  I  used  the  expression  when  examined  as  a  witness  in 
a  court  of  justice ;  or  when  I  was  concerned  in  a  prosecution  as  attorney 
for  the  commonwealth ;  and  although  I  was  mistaken  in  the  fact,  no 
action  lies.  The  occasion  of  my  speaking,  being  called  upon  by  others, 
and  only  acting  in  the  course  of  my  duty,  preclude  the  idea  of  malice. 
So  what  is  said  by  myself  or  attorneys  in  my  defence  in  a  court  of  jus- 
tice, is  not  actionable  ;  not  only  because  of  the  occasion  of  my  speaking, 
but  also  because  the  public  good  requires  that  every  man  should  be 
allowed  to  speak  freely  in  his  own  defence.  It  is  the  same  with  regard 
to  what  I  say  as  plaintiff  in  an  action  ;  because  there  is  as  much  reason 
why  persons  should  enjoy  freedom  of  complaint  as  freedom  of  defence. 
But  if  any  man  should  abuse  this  privilege,  and  under  pretence  of 
pleading  his  cause,  wander  designedly  from  the  point  in  question  and 


THE    REV.    DR.    JOHN    M'MILLAN.  199 

maliciously  heap  slander  upon  his  adversary,  I  will  not  say  that  he  is 
not  responsible  in  an  action  at  law. 

"  This  freedom  of  speech,  in  what  is  called  a  court  of  justice,  is  not 
confined  to  courts  of  commoiiJaw.  Cases  have  been  cited  to  show  that 
it  is  extended  to  proceedings  in  ecclesiastical  courts,  and  proceedings 
before  justices  of  the  peace  ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  but  it  should  be  like- 
wise extended  to  proceedings  before  referees. 

"  The  objection  in  the  case  before  us,  is,  that  Presbyteries  and 
General  Assemblies  are  not  courts  of  justice,  because  they  have  no 
authority  to  administer  an  oath  ;  and  a  person  swearing  falsely  could 
not  be  indicted  for  perjury.  But  although  they  are  not  courts  of  justice, 
they  are  bodies  enjoying  certain  rights  established  by  long  custom,  and 
not  forbidden  by  law.  They  can  inflict  no  temporal  punishment,  and 
their  jurisdiction  is  founded  ou  the  consent  of  the  members  of  the 
church.  No  extensive  church  can  preserve  decency,  good  order,  or 
purity  of  manners,  without  discipline.  It  serves  to  correct  a  multitude 
of  evils,  which  cannot  and  ought  not  to  be  sulyect  to  temporal  cogni- 
sance. It  corrects  them,  too,  in  a  manner  the  most  mild,  the  most 
private,  and  the  least  scandalous  and  injurious  to  religion  ;  in  a  manner 
that  may  reform  the  offender  without  exposing  him  to  the  open  scorn 
and  ridicule  of  the  world,  circumstances  which  sometimes  render  men 
desperate.  A  jurisdiction  of  this  kind,  exercised  only  over  those  who 
consent  to  it,  certainly  must  be  productive  of  good  effects ;  and  it 
appears  to  me  that  the  persons  thus  consenting  and  pleading  their 
causes,  either  in  a  course  of  complaint  or  defence,  fall  within  the  prin- 
ciples applied  to  those  who  are  speaking  in  courts  of  justice.  If  they 
conduct  themselves  in  a  decent  manner,  the  occasion  of  speaking  makes 
it  improper  that  the  law  should  imply  malice.  I  repeat  the  remark 
made  before,  that  if  under  the  pretence  of  pleading  a  cause  before  a 
Presbytery,  one  should  designedly  and  maliciously  wander  from  the 
point,  and  slander  his  opponent,  he  would  be  responsible  for  his  con- 
duct in  a  court  of  justice. 

"  Let  us  apply  these  principles  to  the  case  before  us.  It  was  the 
plaintiff  who  first  aflfirmed  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Presbytery,  and  cited 
the  defendant  to  answer  before  it.  The  defendant  did  not  decline  the 
jurisdiction.  "What  then  was  he  to  do  ?  He  must  either  confess  the 
words  he  had  spoken  of  the  plaintiff  were  fiilse  ;  which  if  he  believed 
them  to  be  true  would  be  a  great  crime ;  or  by  acknowledging  that  he 
had  spoken  thera,  and  endeavoring  to  justify  them,  render  himself  liable 
to  an  action  in  a  court  of  law,  which  had  been  barred  by  the  act  of 
limitation;  for  this  is  a  consequence  if  the  words  spoken  there  (in 
Presbytery)  are  actionable.  "Would  these  words  have  been  spoken  at  the 
time  if  the  plaintiff  had  not  extorted  them?     And  after  extorting  them 


200  A   SKETCH    OF   THE    LIFE   OF 

shall  he  applj  to  a  temporal  court  for  damages?  If  the  law  is  so,  will 
not  ecclesiastical  jurisdiction  prove  traps  for  the  unwary  ?  May  not  the 
occasion  of  the  defendant's  speaking  be  fairly  and  candidly  said  to  war- 
rant the  conclusion,  that  he  spake  not  through  malice,  but  in  his  own 
defence  ;  or  at  least,  ought  it  not  to  form  an  exception  from  the  general 
rule,  by  which  the  law  implies  malice?  The  subject  suggests  a  multi- 
tude of  rcflectisns ;  but  I  have  said  enough  to  explain  the  principles  on 
which  my  opinion  is  founded. 

"  I  am  of  opinion  that  the  charge  of  the  court  was  erroneous  in  the 
last  point  mentioned,  in  the  bill  of  exceptions,  and  therefore  the  judg- 
ment must  be  reversed. 

"  Brackenridge  J.,  concurred.  Judgment  reversed." 

This  opinion  and  decision  of  the  court,  though  occupying 
more  of  our  space  than  we  can  well  spare,  we  have  thought 
it  right  to  give,  not  only  because  it  is  due  to  the  memory  of 
Dr.  M'Millan,  but  on  account  of  its  own  intrinsic  merits.  We 
cannot  forbear  to  ask,  however,  if  the  rights  of  ecclesiastical 
courts  are  only  "  established  by  long  custom,  and  not  forbidden 
by  law?"  We  had  thought  they  were  secured  by  the  consti- 
tution, guaranteeing  protection  to  churches  in  the  exercise  of 
discipline,  and  in  the  administration  of  their  rules  and  regu- 
lations, so  long  as  they  do  not  attempt  to  infringe  upon  civil 
rights,  or  inflict  temporal  pains  and  penalties. 

So  far  as  we  are  aware,  this  vexatious  suit,  which  thus 
issued  in  Dr.  M'Millan's  favor,  was  the  end  of  his  troubles 
from  that  quarter.  We  have  heard  that,  either  then  or  sub- 
sequently, Mr.  Birch  was  received  as  a  member  of  the  Balti- 
more Presbytery,  though  he  still  continued  to  reside  in  Wash- 
ington County.  This  gross  irregularity  was  countenanced 
and  sustained  by  a  body  that,  though  it  has  since  risen  to  the 
highest  respectability  for  its  piety,  missionary  spirit,  and  noble 
efforts  in  the  cause  of  church  extension,  was  then  counted  the 
fag  end  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.* 

A  few  years  afterwards,  the  Doctor  was  not  a  little  worried 
and  distressed  with  the  case  of  Mr.  Gwin,  of  Pigeon  Creek, 

*  It  is  proper  to  add,  however,  that  this  irregularity  had  the  sanction 
of  the  General  Assembly. 


THE   REV.    DR   JOHN   M'MILLAN.  201 

who  was  suspended  from  the  ministry  on  grounds  similar  to 
those  in  the  case  of  Bishop  Onderdonk,  of  New  York.  At 
first,  Dr.  M'Millan  warmly  engaged  in  the  defence  of  Gwin, 
believing  him  innocent.  But  satisfied,  at  length,  of  his  guilt, 
he  took  a  decided  stand  for  the  discipline  of  the  church.  This 
case  occupied  the  attention  of  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio,  the 
Synod  of  Pittsburg,  and  the  General  Assembly,  for  several 
years,  and  cost  Mr.  M'Millan  and  many  others  of  his  brethren 
no  little  trouble  and  sorrow. 

A  more  serious  source  of  annoyance  to  himself  personally 
arose  out  of  an  attempt  to  unite  the  colleges  of  Jefferson  and 
"Washington,  in  1817.  There  was  much  feeling  on  both  sides. 
Heavy  charges,  after  the  failure  of  the  negotiation  between 
the  Boards  and  their  committees,  were  hurled  back  and  forth. 
And  the  Doctor  did  not  escape  his  share.  But  after  the 
battle  was  over,  and  the  smoke  was  dispersed  from  the  field, 
we  never  heard  that  he  was  much  hurt  in  any  way.  "We  know 
enough  about  the  matter,  in  its  whole  extent,  to  be  well  aware 
that  a  much  more  detailed  account  than  we  are  willing  to  give, 
or  than  any  one  now  would  choose  to  read,  would  be  neces- 
sary, to  understand  its  merits.  We  think  it  altogether  un- 
necessary to  go  further  into  the  matter,  though  it  was,  for  a 
while,  one  of  Dr.  M'Millan's  very  serious  annoyances. 

Soon  after  this,  in  1819,  he  lost  his  beloved  wife.  She  died 
a  peaceful  and  triumphant  death,  Nov.  24th,  1819.  A  few 
months  after  her  death,  March  18th,  1820,  he  wrote  to  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Johnston,  of  Newburgh,  New  York,  once  a  favorite 
pupil,  the  following  interesting  and  touching  account  of  that 
important  event  in  his  life : 

"  I  am  now  a  lone  widower.  My  wife  left  me  and  went  to 
hfer  husband,  Jesus,  on  the  24th  of  November  last.  Through 
the  greater  part  of  her  sickness  she  complained  that  she  wa3 
much  in  the  dark,  and  could  not  obtain  that  access  to  God 
which  she  thought  she  had  in  her  former  days.  But  on  the 
Friday  morning  before  she  died,  all  her  doubts  were  removed. 
She  was  raised  quite  above  the  fear  of  death,  and  longed  to 


202  A   SKETCH    OF   THE    LIFE    OF 

get  away  to  her  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the 
heavens.  On  that  morning,  as  she  lay  ruminating  on  her 
situation,  that  text  of  scripture,  John  xvi.  33,  ("  These  things  I 
have  spoken  unto  you  that  in  me  ye  might  have  peace,"  &c.),  was 
impressed  with  power  on  her  mind.  This  encouraged  her  to 
hope  that  God  would  not  leave  her  in  the  valley  and  shadow 
of  death,  nor  suffer  her  to  sink  in  the  swellings  of  the  Jor- 
dan. In  a  little  while  afterwards,  she  obtained  such  a  view 
of  the  divine  glory  that  she  was  but  just  able  to  support  under 
it.  It  appeared  to  her  that  the  glory  of  God  filled  the  room  ; 
and  the  love  of  God  was  so  shed  abroad  in  her  heart,  and 
enkindled  such  a  flame  of  love  in  her  soul,  that  she  longed  to  be 
absent  from  the  body  and  present  with  the  Lord.  Her  tongue 
was  remarkably  loosed,  her  heart  was  full,  and  she  could  not 
but  speak  forth  the  praises  of  her  Redeemer.  She  exhorted 
all  around  her  to  secure  an  interest  in  Christ,  and  to  make 
that  the  main  business  of  their  lives.  To  her  pious  friends 
who  called  to  see  her,  she  could  not  help  telling  what  the 
Lord  had  done  for  her  soul,  as  she  said,  to  encourage  them  to 
trust  in  the  Lord,  and  cleave  unto  him  through  all  difficulties  ; 
assuring:  them  that  the  manifestation  which  he  had  then  made 
of  himself  to  her  was  more  than  sufficient  to  recompense  her 
for  all  the  troubles  and  difficulties  which  she  had  ever  met  with 
in  his  service.  After  this  she  spake  but  little,  but  slumbered 
the  greater  part  of  her  time,  except  when  her  pains  were  more 
than  usually  severe ;  and  then  she  was  frequently  heard  say- 
ing '  Come,  Lord  Jesus ;  0,  come  quickly,  and  take  me  to 
thyself!'  Thus  died  the  dear  saint  with  whom  I  have  lived 
forty  years,  three  months,  and  eighteen  days,  enjoying  as 
much  comfort  and  happiness  as  usually  falls  to  the  lot  of  sinful 
mortals  in  the  conjugal  relation.  But  I  hope  in  a  little  time 
to  meet  her  again  in  the  land  of  glory,  where  the  term  of  our 
enjoyment  shall  not  be  measured  by  years  and  months  and 
days,  but  shall  continue  to  all  eternity.  I  am  now  a  poor, 
lone  creature,  and  have  none  to  sympathize  with  me  in  the 
ills  inseparable  from  old  age.     My  children  treat  me  with  all 


THE    TvEV.    Dii.    JOHN    M'MILLAN.  203 

the  tenderness  that  I  can  expect ;  but  the  young  are  no  com- 
pany for  the  old ;  they  are  entii'cly  unacquainted  with  their 
feelings.  The  principal  comfort  which  I  now  have  is  in  preach- 
ing the  gospel  and  attending  to  a  divinity  class."  In  a  letter 
to  his  son,  William  M'Millan,  Esq.,  he  states  that  she  re- 
quested to  be  buried  in  a  particular  spot  in  the  graveyard, 
and  gave  as  a  reason  that  here,  after  an  hour  of  agony  in 
prayer,  the  Lord  had  visited  her  soul  with  special  consolation 
and  manifestation  of  his  glory. 

On  April  21st,  1830,  he  sought  and  obtained  a  dismission 
from  his  pastoral  charge ;  having  long  before  been  dismissed 
from  Pigeon  Creek.  Already  the  formation  of  Centre  church 
had  considerably  reduced  Chartiers.  Another  organization — 
that  of  Canonsburg  —  was  about  to  be  formed,  which  would 
reduce  the  old  mother  church  still  more.  Dr.  M'Millan  was 
opposed  to  this  course,  doubted  the  policy,  and  resisted  it  as 
long  as  he  could.  He  loved  the  country  and  country 
churches  —  and,  above  all,  old  Chartiers.  It  was  natm-al ;  it 
had  grown  to  be  a  giant,  from  weak  and  tottering  infancy, 
under  his  ministry.  It  was  the  cliild  of  his  affections,  of  his 
youth,  and  of  his  old  age.  There  many  a  pentecostal  season 
had  been  witnessed  and  enjoyed.  But  what  could  the  Pres- 
bytery do  ?  It  seemed  all-important  that  there  should  be  a 
church  in  Canonsburg :  the  interests  of  the  place,  the  claims 
of  the  aged  and  the  feeble,  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  col- 
lege, all  seemed  imperatively  to  require  it.  "We  think  they 
did  right  in  granting  this  new  organization.  But,  so  far  as 
we  know^,  Dr.  M'Millan,  when  he  found  it  was  inevitable, 
yielded — though  he  first  resigned  the  pastoral  charge.  There 
was  a  constitutional  buoyancy  of  spirits,  and  a  Christian  spirit 
also,  that  combined  to  support  him  under  this  trial. 

After  he  was  dismissed  from  Chartiers,  he  still  continued 
to  preach  as  much  as  his  health  and  opportunities  would  allow. 
About  this  time,  a  new,  and  more  modern,  and  much  finer 
pulpit  was  erected  at  Chartiers.     But  the  Doctor  never  en- 


204  A  SKETCH    OF   THE   LIFE   OF 

tered  it — would  persist  in  taking  his  stand  below  when  he 
preached,  or  otherwise  assisted  in  public  worship.  As  the  old 
pulpit,  after  its  removal,  stood  awhile  by  the  side  or  back  of 
the  house,  he  was  more  than  once  seen  leaning  against  it  in 
meditative  posture,  while  a  tear  might  be  observed  coursing 
its  way  down  his  aged  cheek.  He  especially  disliked  the  two 
flights  of  steps  to  the  new  pulpit,  and  said  the  Devil  went  up 
one  pair,  while  the  preacher  ascended  the  other.* 

*  The  Doctor  was  no  patron  or  friend  of  the  more  ambitious  improve- 
ments of  modern  times.  When  Gen.  Morgan  removed  from  Princeton, 
N.  J.,  into  the  bounds  of  Chartiers  congregation,  at  an  early  period,  a 
part  of  his  large  and  fashionable  family  were  conveyed  to  the  church  in 
a  fine  carriage.  Such  a  thing  was  quite  an  exciting  event  amongst 
these  plain,  rural  people.  The  Doctor  was  annoyed,  perhaps,  more  by 
the  diverted  attention  of  the  people,  than  by  the  appearance  of  the  car- 
riage itself,  and  did  not  omit  in  the  course  of  his  sermon  to  intimate 
that  people  might  travel  on  the  Iroad  road  in  Jine  carriages,  as  well  as 
on  horseback,  or  on  foot.  He  was  unfortunate  in  giving  offence  to  the 
party  concerned,  and  he  lost  his  influence  with  this  highly  respectable 
family. 

When  the  first  umbrella  made  its  appearance  at  Chartiers,  it  was  in 
the  hands  of  a  lady,  who  passed  near  where  the  Doctor  was  standing 
conversing  with  others.  He  enquired,  "What  woman  wa^  that  with  a 
petticoat  wrapped  round  a  stick?"  It  is  believed  that  he  was  among 
the  last  who  adopted  the  use  of  that  modern  convenience.  It  may,  per- 
haps, be  known  to  few,  that  this  article,  which  we  no  longer  consider  a 
luxury,  but  an  indispensable  means  of  comfort  and  protection,  was,  not 
thirty  years  before,  first  seen  in  the  streets  of  London  in  the  hands  of 
the  celebrated  philanthropist-merchant,  Jonas  Hanway,  and  excited 
universal  surprise  and  much  derision,  even  from  the  nobility  and  gentry 
of  England.     See  Frost's  Lives  of  Eminent  Christians,  p.  470. 

To  show  that  our  notions  of  luxury  and  effeminacy  are  altogether 
conventional.  Dr.  Miller,  of  Princeton,  told  us,  in  our  seminary  days, 
of  a  Highland  Chieftain,  who,  with  his  son,  being  overtaken  by  night 
amongst  the  bleak  mountains  of  Scotland,  sought  a  place  on  the  south 
side  of  a  hill  to  bivouack,  and  prepared  it,  as  well  as  they  could,  by  re- 
moving the  snow  from  the  ground.  The  father  went  aside  to  hunt  a 
stone  or  a  piece  of  a  rock  for  a  pillow;  on  his  return,  finding  that  his 
son  had  rolled  up  a  snow-ball  for  this  purpose,  and  had  already  lain 
down,  wrapped  in  his  tartan  of  plaid,  he  kicked  the  snow-ball  from 


THE  llEV.   DR.   JOHN  m'millan.  205 

There  are  a  few  other  incidents  in  his  history,  of  minor  im- 
portance. But  we  pass  them  over ;  and  before  we  hiistcn  to 
the  closing  scenes  of  his  life,  we  must  briefly  speak  of  liim  as 
an  Old  School  Presbyterian,  as  a  preacher,  and  as  a  theologi- 
cal instructor. 

As  to  the  position  which  Dr.  M'Millan  held,  in  view  of  the 
rising  conflict  between  the  Old  and  New  School,  nothing  can 
be  more  clearly  proved,  than  that  his  sympathies  were 
thoroughly  with  the  Old  School,  till  the  day  of  his  death.  It 
may  suffice,  however,  to  give  one  extract  from  his  farewell 
sermon  to  his  Presbytery,  and  as  it  proved,  in  some  measure, 
to  the  whole  Presbyterian  Church. 

"  At  the  present  day,"  stiys  this  departed  saint,  "  I  believe  that  the 
Church  is  in  greater  danger  from  those  who  style  themselves  peace-men, 
than  from  all  the  errors  that  abound  in  her ;  for  those  generally  cast 
their  weight  into  the  scale  of  the  errorists,  and  thereby  not  only  coun- 
tenance and  encourage  them  in  their  errors,  but  weaken  the  hands  of 
those  who  are  laboring  for  the  peace  and  purity  of  the  Church.  And  it 
is  my  serious  opinion,  that  our  Church  will  never  have  peace  and  purity 
in  union,  until  it  is  purged,  by  discipline,  of  the  false  doctrines  which 
defile  it,  and  the  false  measures  which  distract  it." 

"Here  is  our  opinion,"  said  Dr.  Green,  quoting  the  above 
passage  in  his  December  Number  of  the  Advocate,  for  1833, 
"expressed  with  admirable  simplicity  and  perspicuity."  Yes, 
Dr.  M'Millan  was  not  only  thoroughly  of  the  Old  School  in 
his  views  of  both  doctrines  and  measures,  but  he  disliked  and 
dreaded  the  compromising  spirit  of  many  of  our  ministers  in 
high  places,  in  those  times. 

As  a  public  speaker,  he  possessed  one  qualification  in  high 
perfection,  well  suiting  him  for  the  earlier  part  of  his  career, 

under  his  head,  and   exclaimed,  "  Tut  I  tut !  mon,  are  ye  becoming 
effeminate  V 

The  reader  will  find  some  curious  and  amusing  things  about  the  first 
appearance  of  umbrellas  in  Philadelphia  —  when  they  were  scouted  in 
the  public  gazettes,  as  a  ridiculous  effeminacy  —  in  "Watson's  Annals  of 
Philadelphia,  Vol.  I.,  p.  193. 


206  A    SKETCH    OF   THE    LIFE    OF 

when  he  so  often  preached  in  the  woods  and  in  the  open  air. 
He  had  a  voice  which,  though  not  mellifluous,  was  yet  power- 
ful, and  could  sustain  any  amount  of  effort  short  of  absolute 
screaming  without  ever  breaking  down  or  causing  exhaustion. 
His  manner  was  always  solemn  and  impressive.  Though  he 
preached  from  memory,  he  had  the  faculty  of  delivering  his 
discourses  in  so  natural  a  tone  of  voice,  that  the  hearer  would 
suppose  it  was  perfectly  extemporaneous.  On  certain  topics, 
he  would  often  use  the  same  language,  word  for  word,  that 
had  been  heard  before.  This  was  especially  the  case  with 
some  of  his  exhortations ;  and  though  heard  ever  so  often, 
they  always,  somehow,  seemed  fresh  to  the  hearer.  We  have 
heard  many  testify  to  this.  But  as  to  his  matter,  as  a 
preacher,  here  we  prefer  to  give  the  language  of  Dr.  M. 
Brown,  who  was  intimately  acquainted  with  him,  and  had 
heard  him  scores  of  times  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century : 
"  The  subjects  which  characterized  his  sermons  were,  the 
dreadful  evil  of  sin ;  the  awful  danger  of  the  sinner,  exposed 
to  the  wrath  of  God ;  the  character  of  God  as  holy  and  just, 
as  well  as  merciful ;  the  spirituality,  purity,  extent,  and  excel- 
lence of  the  divine  law ;  the  absolute  need  of  salvation  through 
the  atoning  sacrifice  of  Christ;  the  fulness,  sufficiency,  and 
freedom  of  the  gospel  salvation  ;  the  utter  helplessness  of  the 
sinner ;  insufficiency  of  his  own  righteousness :  the  necessity 
of  an  entire  change  of  heart,  and  absolute  need  of  Christ  for 
pardon  and  acceptance.  These  great  points  were  pressed 
with  all  his  solemnity  and  force,  and  pressed  upon  the  sinner's 
conscience,  who  was  urged,  by  all  the  solemnities  of  heaven 
and  hell,  immediately,  and  without  delay,  to  make  a  surrender 
of  himself  to  Christ  as  a  lost  and  helpless  sinner;  that  he 
was  without  excuse  in  refusing  to  receive  Christ  and  the  of- 
fered salvation ;  that  his  inability  to  believe,  repent,  and  em- 
brace the  Saviour,  was  a  moral  inability ;  the  result  of  depra- 
vity, a  perverse  will,  a  perverted  taste;  the  inability  of  a 
wicked  heart,  at  enmity  with  God ;  and  that  this,  instead  of 
being  an  excuse,  was  the  essential  crime." 


THE  REV.   DR.   JOHN  m'millan.  207 

"It  was  In  the  spring  of  1831,"  says  Mr.  Leake,  ''that  1 
first  made  Dr.  M'Millan's  acquaintance.  His  general  appear- 
ance had  at  that  time,  probably,  undergone  considerable 
change.  His  manner  in  the  pulpit  was,  however,  as  I  have 
learned  from  those  who  knew  him  well,  much  the  same  that 
it  had  been  in  his  earlier  ministerial  life.  At  that  time,  his 
countenance  wore  an  aspect  that  had  an  approach  to  stern- 
ness ;  and,  to  a  stranger,  was  rather  forbidding.  His  com- 
plexion was  unusually  dark.  His  features  were  prominent, 
and  strongly  marked ;  and  the  tout  ensemble  of  his  face  was 
expressive  of  the  strong  and  masculine  character  of  the  mind 
within.  His  manner,  both  out  of  and  in  the  pulpit,  was  cha- 
racterized by  what  might  almost  be  called  a  studied  plainness. 
He  held  in  such  contempt  all  efforts  at  mere  parade  and  show, 
that  he  was,  perhaps,  too  little  attentive  to  etiquette ;  and 
sometimes,  in  his  intercourse  with  people  of  taste  and  fashion, 
he  might  have  been  charged  with  a  seeming  approach  to  rude- 
ness."* 

*  William  Darby,  Esq.,  writes :  "  The  personal  appearance  of  Mr. 
John  M'Millan  I  need  not  describe  to  you,  or  his  demeanor.  But  the 
salutary  influence  of  his  character,  spreading  far  beyond  the  limits  of 
his  congregation,  I  cannot  omit.  Stern  he  was,  and  uncompromising. 
Vice  received  his  rebuke,  let  the  object  be  what  it  might.  When  Mr. 
M'Millan  came  to  this  neighborhood,  where  his  future  days  were  spent, 
and  his  usefulness  exerted,  few  men  could  be  better  calculated  to  suit 
the  times,  and  very  few  had  sufficient  hardihood  to  disregard  his  re- 
proof. Rough  and  rude  were  the  manners  of  that  country,  at  tlie  age 
under  review:  yet  there  was,  under  this  repulsive  exterior,  much  sound 
moral  principle  and  manly  feeling;  and  I  doubt  whether  there  was  in 
the  country  another  man  more  respected  than  Dr.  M'Millan." 

These  rebukes  of  Dr.  M'Millan,  of  which  Mr.  Darby  speaks,  were 
sometimes  instrumental  in  happy  results.  The  Rev.  Dr.  William  Xeill, 
when  a  stout  young  lad  at  Jefferson  College,  took  it  into  his  head,  as 
he  was  then  altogether  thoughtless  and  irreligious,  that  he  would  spend 
a  portion  of  a  fast  day,  on  which  there  were  no  recitations  in  college,  in 
a  ramble  through  the  wood,  with  his  gun.  His  route  brought  him 
across  the  track  of  Dr.  M'Millan,  on  his  way  to  public  worship. 
Enquiring  of  young  Neill  what  he  was  doing,  and  being  told  that  he 


208  A   SKETCH   OF   THE   LIFE    OF 

^'In  the  pulpit,"  Mr.  Leake  continues,  ^'he  had  ordinarily 
but  little  action.  He  made  almost  no  gestures.  At  times, 
however,  the  agitation  of  his  -whole  frame  gave  evidence  of 
the  mighty  heaviness  of  a  deeply  impassioned  soul.  His 
whole  manner  was  perhaps  best  adapted  to  the  presentation 
of  truths  that  were  terrible  and  alarming.  His  rebuke  of 
vice  and  sin  was  appalling ;  and  few  that  listened  to  him  were 
so  hardened  as  not  to  quail  under  it.  His  descriptions  of  the 
wrath  of  God  and  the  danger  and  doom  of  the  impenitent 
were  awful.  He  could,  however,  melt  and  move  in  the  sweet 
strains  of  gospel  grace.  There  was,  ordinarily,  nothing 
musical  in  his  voice.  As  it  fell  on  the  ear  of  the  stranger, 
it  approached  to  harshness.  We  do  not  now  hold  up  Dr. 
M'Millan  to  the  decisions  of  modern  criticism  and  modern 
taste  as  the  beau  ideal  or  as  the  model  of  pulpit  eloquence. 
Nor  do  we  mean  to  institute  any  general  comparison  between 
him  and  "Whitefield.  Yet  Dr.  M'Millan  was  sometimes  truly 
eloquent.  AVhen  absorbed  by  his  subject,  he  could,  uncon- 
sciously to  himself,  throw  into  particular  words  and  phrases  a 
deep-toned  tenderness  of  pathos  that  was  quite  peculiar,  that 
has  more  than  once  reminded  us,  at  least,  of  Garrick's  remark, 
that  he  would  give  a  hundred  guineas  to  be  able  to  pronounce 
the  interjection  0  !  after  Whitefield's  manner.  Dr.  M'Mil- 
lan's  mode  of  sermonizing  was,  perhaps,  rather  formal.  His 
regular  discourses  had,  almost  uniformly,  three  general  divi- 
sions, with  a  number  of  subdivisions  under  each,  and  closed 
with  a  practical  improvement.  They  seldom  exceeded  fifty  or 
sixty  minutes  in  delivery.  He  had  a  favorite  saying,  derived, 
perhaps,  from  his  theological  instructor,  Dr,  Smith,  which  he 

was  trying  to  kill  pigeons,  he  remarked  to  him,  "What  a  sad  thing  to 
see  a  poor  sinner  on  his  way  to  hell,  killing  the  poor,  innocent  birds!" 
and  then  passed  on.  The  young  man  at  first  was  quite  indignant,  and 
offended  at  the  remark.  But  he  could  not  forget  it.  The  more  he 
thought  of  it,  the  more  it  worked  itself  into  the  depths  of  his  conscience. 
His  peace  of  mind  forsook  him,  and  he  never  recovered  it,  until,  as  a 
penitent  sinner,  he  found  his  way  to  the  feet  of  the  Saviour. 


THE    REV.    DR.    JOHN    M'MILLAX.  209 

often  repeated:  "No  conversions  are  elTected  beyond  the 
hour."  He  did  not  study  ornament  in  his  lan*Tuao-e.  Hig 
style  was  simple.  He  never  made  truth  do  homage  to  rhe- 
torical flourish.  Ilis  sermons  were  always  sensible  and  pious, 
full  of  matter,  and  perhaps  sometimes  surcharged  with  it.  lie 
excelled  as  a  casuist.  He  showed  great  skill  in  separating 
the  precious  from  the  vile,  in  dislodging  the  hypocrite  from 
his  refuges  of  lies,  and  directing  the  enquiring  sinner  to  a 
genuine  resting-place.  He  had  the  best  evidence  that  his 
preaching  was  of  a  high  order  of  excellence.  It  had  the  sig- 
nature of  God's  approbation.  Three  wide-spread  and  powerful 
revivals,  at  least,  occurred  under  his  ministry.  And  it  is  sup- 
posed that  hundreds,  and  even  thousands,  were,  through  his 
instrumentality,  converted  and  trained  up  for  heaven.  How 
enviable  his  honors !  How  rich  the  glories  of  his  crown  ! 
"  For  they  that  turn  many  to  righteousness  shall  shine  as  the 
brightness  of  the  firmament,  and  as  the  stars  for  ever  and 
ever." 

As  a  theological  teacher,  Dr.  Brown  informs  us  that  "  per- 
haps about  one  hundred  ministers  were  trained,  more  or  less, 
in  his  school  of  the  prophets ;  many  of  whom  were  eminently 
useful.  The  mode  of  instruction  was  by  written  lectures,  con- 
taining a  complete  system  of  theology.*  The  system  the 
students  transcribed,  and  were  expected  to  recite  literally. 
The  system  itself  was  excellent,  containing  a  concise  discus- 
sion of  all  the  principal  doctrines,  with  copious  notes  and 
quotations  from  scripture.  It  was  concise,  condensed,  multum 
in  parvOj  lucid,  and  forcible." 

"  The  course  pursued  by  Dr.  M'Millan,  especially  at  this 
early  period,  when  books  were  difficult  to  be  procured,  had 
some'importaat  advantages.    The  minds  of  the  students  were 

*  It  was  rather  in  the  form  of  written  Questions  and  Answers.  The 
work,  of  which  there  are  many  copies  extant,  would,  if  published,  form 
a  stout  octavo  volume,  and  might  well  be  called  M'Millan's  Medulla. 
On  the  subject  of  natural  and  moral  ability,  its  views  are  much  the 
same  with  those  of  Dr.  Lyman  Beecher. 
14 


210  A    SKETCH    OF   THE    LIFE    OF 

replenished  with  an  accurate  knoAvledge  of  all  the  important 
doctrines,  and  with  a  summary  of  the  arguments  in  their  sup- 
port; a  treasury  of  most  important  truth,  condensed  in  the 
best  manner,  and  expressed  with  simplicity,  clearness,  and 
force  ;  and,  being  required  to  recite  verbatim  all  the  scriptural 
quotations,  the  mind  was  enriched  from  the  treasury  of  divine 
truth.  A  solid  foundation  was  thus  laid,  containing  the  great 
elements  of  the  system  of  truth,  which  reflecting  and  intelli- 
gent students  would  of  course  enlarge  and  improve  by  study 
and  reading  different  authors.  It  may  be  questioned  whether, 
at  any  period  before  or  since,  there  has  been  a  larger  propor- 
tion of  profound  and  accurate  theologians,  and  efficient,  prac- 
tical, and  useful  preachers  of  the  gospel,  than  those  trained 
in  this  theological  school.  Their  voices  have  been  heard  in 
every  part  of  the  West  and  South,  and  not  a  few  called  to 
occupy  important  stations  in  the  East,  in  cities  and  in  col- 
leges, while  others  have  gone  far  hence  to  the  Gentiles,  and 
been  instrumental  in  imparting  divine  truth  to  some  of  the 
millions  who  were  sitting  in  darkness  and  the  shadow  of 
death."  * 

But  w^e  must  hasten  to  the  closing  scenes  of  his  life. 
Though  he  passed  the  ordinary  boundaries  of  even  old  age, 
never,  perhaps,  was  any  man  more  exempt  from  its  infirmities. 
His  mental  and  physical  faculties  were  but  little  impaired. 
"  In  April,  May,  and  June  of  1832,  he  took  what  he  sup- 
posed to  be  his  last  visit  amongst  some  of  the  old  churches  of 
the  west — which  he  had  been  instrumental  in  gathering  from 
the  wilderness,  and  supplying  with  pastors.  On  the  last  Sab- 
bath of  April,  and  first  Sabbath  of  May,  he  assisted  in  dis- 
pensing the  Lord's  Supper  at  Cross  Creek,  and  at  the  Cross 
Roads  (Florence,)  and  preached  six  Sabbaths  in  Raccoon  con- 
gregation, where  he  assisted  in  administering  the  Lord's 
Supper  on  the  third  Sabbath  of  June.     During  this  journey, 

*  This  last  statement  is,  perhaps,  not  correct,  unless  made  in  reference 
to  the  school,  considered  as  continued  by,  and  merged  into,  the  Alle- 
gheny Theological  Seminary. 


THE  REV.  im.  JOHN  m'millan.  211 

he  preached  seventeen  sermons  with  more  than  usual  fer- 
vency; and  it  has  been  since  found  that  his  labors,  during  this 
journey,  were  blessed  to  the  spiritual  quickening  and  edifica- 
tion of  God's  people,  and  the  awakening  of  many  careless 
sinners,  who  have  since  joined  themselves  to  the  Lord.  During 
the  year  1832,  he  assisted  in  administering  the  Lord's  Supper 
eleven  times,  and  preached  about  fifty  times ;  on  occasions 
leaning  on  his  crutch,  and  in  the  eightieth  year  of  his  age. 
During  the  year  1833,  up  to  the  IGth  of  November,  the  time 
of  his  death,  he  assisted  in  administering  the  Lord's  Supper 
seventeen  times,  and  preached  on  these  occasions  about 
seventy-five  times,  frequently  twice  in  the  same  day,  besides 
attending  to  exhortations,  &c. !"  Thus  was  he  honored  with 
the  strength  and  with  the  opportunity  to  labor  to  the  last, 
and  die  with  the  harness  on. 

He  had,  in  his  letter  to  Dr.  Carnahan,  a  short  time  before 
he  took  the  excursion  above  described,  stated :  "  If  my  life 
and  health  be  continued,  I  design  this  spring  and  summer  to 
visit  some  of  the  old  cctngregations  which  I  helped  to  collect, 
and  see  how  they  do,  and  once  more  blow  the  gospel  trumpet 
among  them."  His  w^sh  was  gratified.  He  was  even  al- 
lowed to  take  a  second  excursion  as  far  as  Wheeling,  the  fol- 
lowing and  last  summer  of  his  life  —  spend  some  time  among 
his  old  acquaintances  and  friends,  and  preach  as  there  was 
opportunity.  We  have  been  kindly  favoured  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Elliott  with  some  particulars  respecting  this  closing  excursion 
of  the  venerable  man,  that  cannot  fail  to  be  read  with  inte- 
rest. "  The  last  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg  which 
the  Doctor  ever  attended  was  held  at  Pittsburg.  This  was 
only  a  few  weeks  before  his  death.  He  appeared  to  be  then 
in  excellent  health  and  spirits,  and  participated  actively  in 
the  business  of  the  Synod.  After  its  adjournment,  he  pro- 
ceeded to  Wheeling,  where  he  remained  some  time,  and 
preached  frequently,  and  Avitli  much  acceptance.*     On  his 

■*  Dr.  Ilerron  informs  us  that  he  accompanied  Dr.  M'Millan  on  this 
excursion,  in  a  steamboat  to  Wheeling — that,  on  their  way,  they  met 


212  A   SKETCH    OF   THE   LIFE   OP 

return,  he  spent  a  night  in  Washington,  at  the  house  of  an 
okl  friend,  where  he  had  long  been  accustomed  to  lodge,  I 
was  then  the  pastor  of  the  church  in  that  place.  I  spent  part 
of  the  evening  with  him,  and  engaged  him  for  breakfast  the 
next  morning.  Mj  family,  who  were  unacquainted  with  the 
Doctor,  looked  for  his  arrival  with  some  concern,  and  antici- 
pated rather  a  comfortless  meeting,  from  having  heard  a  good 
deal  respecting  the  gruffness  of  his  manners.  All,  however, 
were  most  agreeably  disappointed.  Upon  receiving  an  intro- 
duction to  Mrs.  E.  and  the  children,  he  took  each  of  them 
by  the  hand,  saluting  them  in  the  most  kind  and  affectionate 
manner.  He  appeared  as  gentle  as  a  lamb,  and  his  counte- 
nance beamed  with  benevolence.  He  took  particular  notice 
of  the  small  children,  invited  their  approach,  talked  fami- 
liarly with  them ;  and,  in  a  short  time,  he  and  they  were  on 
the  very  best  terms.  The  patriarchal  simplicity  of  his  man- 
ner, and  his  humble,  affectionate,  and  condescending  spirit 
captivated  us  all ;  and  although  his  visit  was  a  short  one,  it 
left  on  our  minds  the  most  agreeable  impressions  in  his 
favor. 

Having  made  arrangements  to  proceed  homewards  by  the 
stage  at  an  early  hour  in  the  forenoon,  as  soon  as  he  had 
breakfasted  he  bade  us  an  affectionate  farewell.  I  accom- 
panied him  to  his  lodgings,  and,  at  the  appointed  hour,  saw 
him  in  the  coach  which  conve^^ed  him  to  Canonsburg.  Upon 
his  arrival  there  he  was  taken  violently  ill,  and  in  a  few  days 
breathed  his  last  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Leatherman,  November 
16th,  1833." 

The  following  account  of  the  closing  scenes  of  his  life,  given 

with  an  orthodox  Quaker  going  to  a  yearly  meeting  in  Ohio — had  much 
conversation  with  him  on  the  subject  of  experimental  religion — that  the 
Doctor  was  much  gratified,  and  expressed  to  Dr.  Herron  his  persuasion 
that  the  Quaker  was  a  pious  man  —  that  at  Wheeling,  Dr.  M'Millan 
preached  several  sermons  on  the  text,  "  Come  unto  me,  all  ve  that  la- 
bor," &c., — discourses  of  great  excellence,  and  all  entirely  distinct  in 
form  and  matter  from  each  other. 


THE    REV.    DR.    JOHN    MCMILLAN.  213 

by  the  Rev.  L.  F.  Leake,  will  be  read  with  interest :  *'  He 
had  spent  much  of  the  preceding  summer  and  autumn  in  visit- 
ing the  churches.  During  these  events,  he  attended  many 
communions  and  preached  frequently,  and,  as  was  remarked, 
with  unusual  unction  and  power.  In  October  he  was  at  the 
meeting  of  the  Synod  held  at  Pittsburg.  He  preached  twice 
during  the  session  of  that  body,  and  seemed  to  enjoy  fine 
health  and  spirits.  After  the  meeting  of  Synod,  in  company 
with  several  clerical  brethren,  he  went  down  the  river  by 
steamboat  to  Wheeling,  Virginia.  There  he  remained  twelve 
or  fourteen  days,  and  preached  almost  every  day  and  evening 
during  that  time.  On  Tuesday,  the  5th  of  November,  he 
reached  Canonsburg  by  stage,  on  his  return  from  "Wheeling. 
Arrived  at  Canonsburg,  he  called  at  the  house  of  a  friend. 
Here  he  remained  several  hours  and  took  a  hearty  meal.  He 
seemed  to  be  somewhat  exhausted  by  his  recent  journey  and 
labors,  but  was  quite  cheerful,  and  apparently  in  his  ordinary 
health.  In  the  evening  he  went  over  to  the  house  which,  for 
many  years,  he  had  made  his  lodging-place  when  in  Canons- 
burg. Here  he  retired  to  bed,  about  his  usual  time.  Soon 
after  retiring  he  was  taken  ill,  and  suffered  much  bodily  pain 
during  the  night.  Next  morning,  at  early  dawn,  he  went 
down  to  the  house  of  his  physician  and  friend;  and  when  he 
first  met  the  physician,  with  his  characteristic  simplicity  of 
manner,  he  said  to  him,  "  Doctor,  I  had  a  messenger  sent  for 
me  last  night,  and  I  must  go ;"  intimating,  as  was  supposed, 
that  his  present  disease  would  issue  in  death.  Thus,  although 
from  the  first  attack  he  supposed  his  end  was  near,  and  this, 
too,  on  examination  of  the  case,  was  the  opinion  of  the  phy- 
sician, yet  he  considered  it  his  duty  to  employ  the  means  of 
relief.  Here  he  remained,  at  the  house  of  his  physician,  in 
Canonsburg,  until  he  died.  His  death  occurred  about  six 
o'clock  on  Saturday  morning,  November  16th,  1833.  His 
disease  was  paralysis  of  the  prostate  gland ;  induced,  as  was 
supposed,  by  too  great  exertion — preaching  too  frequently — 
for  his  strength.     Of  this  he  v/as  himself  aware,  but  he  did 


214  A   SKETCH    OF   THE   LIFE   OF 

not  regret  it.  He  seemed  to  regard  it  as  a  high  privilege  to 
fall  a  martyr  in  a  cause  he  so  much  loved.  During  the  whole 
period  of  his  sickness,  ^vhich  lasted  ten  days,  with  some  short 
intervals  of  alleviation,  his  bodily  sufferings  were  extreme, 
yet  he  uttered  no  complaint.  He  did  not,  on  his  bed  of 
death,  enjoy  those  distinguished  manifestations  of  the  divine 
favor  which  God  sometimes,  in  such  circumstances,  vouchsafes 
to  his  faithful  ministers ;  yet  he  was  vastly  sustained  by  the 
consolations  and  hopes  of  the  gospel.  In  full  view  of  his 
approaching  death,  and  in  the  full  view  and  vigorous  exercise 
of  his  reasoning  powers,  he  was  not  afraid  to  die.  He  knew 
in  whom  he  had  believed,  and  his  mind  was  calm ;  his  confi- 
dence in  the  Redeemer  was  unshaken,  and  his  end  was  peace. 
The  day  subsequent  to  his  death,  which  was  Sabbath,  his 
body  was  conveyed  to  the  Chartiers  Church,  attended  by  a 
large  concourse  of  people.  Several  ministers  who  were  pre- 
sent took  part  in  the  religious  exercises  of  the  occasion.  His 
remains  were  interred  in  the  burying-ground  adjoining.  Here 
a  marble  slab,  inscribed  to  his  memory,  covers  the  grave. 
This  and  all  that  is  earthly  will  perish ;  but  the  records  of 
eternity  will  save  from  oblivion  the  usefulness  and  worth  of 
such  a  man  as  Dr.  M'Millan." 

Thus  passed  away  from  earth  the  last  of  the  pioneers  of  the 
Western  Presbyterian  Church.  When,  fifty-two  years  before, 
the  first  Presbytery  west  of  the  Allegheny  Mountains  was  or- 
ganized, there  were  but  four  members.  A  few  weeks  before 
his  death,  he  met  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg,  embracing,  at  that 
time,  eight  Presbyteries,  and  more  than  130  clerical  mem- 
bers ;  covering  the  original  field  of  the  Presbyt-ery  of  Red- 
stone, together  with  an  extensive  region  beyond  the  Allegheny 
and  Ohio  Rivers,  that,  in  the  days  of  the  old  Redstone  Pres- 
bytery, was  the  home  and  the  hunting-ground  of  the  red 
man.  In  the  lifetime  of  this  man  what  had  the  Lord  wrought ! 
Could  his  vision  have  embraced  the  entire  West  on  the  day 
of  his  death,  he  might  have  seen  numerous  other  Presbyteries 
and  Synods  raising  their  banners  far  and  wide  over  the  plains 


THE    REV.    DR.    JOHN    MCMILLAN.  215 

and  rivers  of  the  mighty  valley  of  the  Mississippi.  And  in 
the  course  of  his  pilgrimage  he  had  witnessed  the  rise  and 
progress  of  five  new  western  states  —  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois, 
Missouri,  and  Michigan — containing,  when  he  died,  1,610,473 
inhabitants  where  scarce  a  single  white  man  of  the  Anglo- 
Saxon  race  dwelt  when  he  entered  the  West !  The  event  of 
the  first  child  of  a  white  man  born  in  Ohio  did  not  occur  till 
twenty  years  after  Dr.  M'Millan  penetrated  the  frontier  set- 
tlements. When  he  died,  Ohio  contained  937,903  inhabit- 
ants, by  the  census  of  1830.  Well  might  he  exclaim,  "  Now 
lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  for  mine  eyes  have 
seen  thy  salvation." 

We  cannot  better  close  this  extended  paper  than  in  the 
words  of  him  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  the  earlier  part 
of  this  sketch : 

*'  In  short,  when  we  regard  Dr.  M'Millan's  whole  charac- 
ter, and  the  wide  field  of  efi*ort  and  usefulness,  in  all  the  im- 
portant aspects  of  its  condition,  to  which  he  was  introduced ; 
especially  when,  from  the  point  of  observation  which  we 
occupy,  we  contemplate  the  actual  results  of  his  labors  and 
influence,  a  part  only  of  which  can  be  told  or  known  this  side 
of  heaven,  we  have  special  cause  to  recognize  the  wisdom  and 
kindness  of  God  in  furnishing  an  instrument  so  well  adapted 
to  the  work." 

Dr.  M'Millan  was  the  father  of  several  children :  three 
sons,  William,  John,  and  Samuel ;  and  four  daughters,  Jane, 
Margaret,  Mary,  and  Catharine.  These  all  outlived  their 
mother ;  and  all  except  Samuel,  the  youngest,  survived  their 
father.  William,  the  eldest  son,  lately  deceased  in  Mercer 
County,  Pennsylvania.  John,  the  second  son,  is  now  on  the 
homestead  farm.  Samuel  died  March  9th,  1826.  Jane,  the 
eldest  daughter,  married,  first,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Moorehead,  and 
then  Mr.  Harper.  Margaret  was  first  the  wife  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Watson,  then  of  Mr.  Neil.  Mary,  wife  of  Mr.  AYeaver, 
died  April  28th,  1839.  Catharine,  the  widow  of  the  Rev. 
Moses  Allen,  is  now  residing  in  Ohio. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  RURAL  STATE  OF  PRESBYTERIANISM    SEVENTY  YEARS  AGO. 

A  REMARKABLE  feature  in  the  early  Presbyterianism  of  the 
AYest  was,  during  the  whole  period  of  the  Old  Redstone  Pres- 
bytery, its  exclusively  rural  cliaracter.  When  the  Presby- 
tery was  organized,  and  for  some  years  after,  there  were 
really  no  towns  west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains  —  if  we 
except  a  little  hamlet  outside  of  Fort  Pitt,  and  a  small  cluster 
of  cabins  at  Hanna's-town,  in  Westmoreland,  the  seat  of  jus- 
tice for  the  entire  west.  It  is  true,  under  Virginia  authority, 
there  were  two  seats  of  justice  located  south  of  the  Mononga- 
hela,  and  one  north  of  that  river,  but  there  were  no  towns 
there.  One  of  these  Virginia  Court-houses  stood  a  few  miles 
west  of  the  present  town  of  Washington.  Washington  itself 
did  not  then  exist ;  but  a  miserable  hamlet,  consisting  of  a 
few  cabins,  called  Catfish,  after  the  Indian  chief  of  that  name 
who  once  dwelt  there.  Pittsburg  was  not  fully  laid  out  till 
three  years  after  the  first  meeting  of  the  Redstone  Presby- 
tery. It  is  true  a  very  small  portion  of  it,  including  a  square 
or  two,  had  been  partially  arranged  for  a  town  in  1765.  But 
during  the  entire  period  through  which  the  pilgrimage  of  this 
old  Presbytery  extended,  it  was  a  small  insignificant  place  — 
for  some  years  occasionally  visited  and  supplied  by  our  first 
ministers. 

In  1786,  ''a  church  of  squared  timber  and  moderate  di- 
mensions was  on  the  way  to  be  built."*  This  church  actually 
stood  within  the  ground  covered  by  the  first  Presbyterian 
church,  and  was  sufi"ered  to  stand  until  the  brick  building  was 

*  History  of  Pittsburg,  p.  203. 

216 


NO   TOWNS   AT   FIRST    SETTLEMENT.  217 

reared  around  it.  This  brick  building,  afterwards  much  en- 
larged, was  demolished  in  1853,  and  a  splendid  edifice  is  now 
rising  on  its  ruins.  The  old  Presbytery  settled  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Barr  there  as  its  pastor,  but  he  remained  but  a  short 
time.  With  this  single  exception,  all  our  ministers  and  their 
people  were  in  the  country,  residing  far  from  the  thronged 
habitations  of  man ;  and  though,  in  process  of  time,  the  coun- 
ties of  Washington,  Fayette,  and  Greene  were  organized,  there 
were  no  churches  nor  ministers  at  the  county  towns  —  none 
at  Greensburg,  the  seat  of  the  mother  county  of  Westmore- 
land, which  was  laid  out  not  long  after  the  burning  of  Ilan- 
na's-town. 

The  ground  now  occupied  by  Allegheny  City  was  owned  by 
the  savages,  and  was  considered  then,  and  for  many  years 
after,  as  in  the  Indian  country.  Not  a  village  then  existed 
from  Pittsburg  to  Brownsville,  along  the  entire  course  of  the 
Monongahela.  There  was  not  a  town  on  the  Ohio  from  its 
head  to  Wheeling,  unless,  perhaps,  a  hamlet  at  Beaver  might 
claim  that  name.  Our  ministers  and  their  people  were  all 
withdrawn  from  the  busy  haunts  of  men ;  and  they  had  even 
scarcely  any  intercourse,  except  when,  during  the  earlier  part 
of  the  period  referred  to,  they  sought  such  places  east  of  the 
mountains  for  salt  and  iron.  In  some  cases,  it  is  true,  they 
were  crowded  together  for  a  few  weeks  in  forts,  for  their 
mutual  defence  and  safety  against  the  Indians  —  going  out  in 
parties  during  the  day  to  attend  to  their  crops  or  clearings, 
and  taking  their  guns  with  them.  With  these  exceptions, 
their  most  usual  place  of  meeting,  in  any  considerable  num- 
bers, was  the  meeting-house,  or  tent,  on  the  Sabbath  day. 
Yet  it  is  true  that,  in  smaller  portions,  they  were  often  toge- 
ther—  at  house-raisings,  at  huskings,  at  harvests,  at  flax- 
dressings,  at  wood-choppings,  and  ^t  musters.  They  were 
eminently  a  social  people,  and  necessity  and  mutual  conve- 
nience drew  them  much  together.  But  they  had  no  fondness 
for  towns ;  a  life,  in  such  places,  would  have  been  intolerable 
to  them. 


218         HOW  THE  PEOPLE  GOT  TOGETHER. 

Now  in  this  state  of  society,  so  eminently  rural,  was  the 
Presbytery  organized.  Our  first  seven  ministers  were  all 
Chorejnscopi.  We  had  no  metropolitans  there.  Their  labors 
were  all  in  the  country.  The  first  ordained  minister  who 
settled  west  of  the  mountains,  the  Rev.  James  Power,  had, 
for  a  number  of  years,  a  charge  not  less  than  thirty  miles  in 
length,  and  many  miles  in  breadth.  "Yet  he  was  in  the 
habit,"  says  Dr.  Carnahan,  "of  visiting  every  family  under 
his  charge,  accompanied  by  one  or  more  of  his  elders."  The 
charges  of  his  other  six  fellow-laborers  were  nearly  as  exten- 
sive :  perhaps  one  or  two  of  them  even  greater.  Yet  they  all 
displayed  the  same  diligence  in  visiting  their  people. 

In   process  of  time,  as  country  towns   and   other  villages 
sprang  up,  they  carried  the  gospel  from  the  country  to  town. 
There  is  here  a  very  marked  contrast  between  this  order  of 
things,  and  that  which  characterised  the  progress  of  the  gos- 
pel in  the  early  ages  of  Christianity.     The  country  people  in 
Western  Pennsylvania  were  the  Christians — the  towns-people 
the  pagans ;  not,  indeed,  in  its  grosser  sense,  but  in  respect 
to  their  early  destitution  of  the  stated  means  of  grace  and 
the  ordinances  of  God's  house,  and  in  respect  to  their  general 
rudeness  and  profanity.     "Not  a  priest  of  any  persuasion, 
nor  church  nor  chapel,"  said  Arthur  Lee,  of  Pittsburg,  in 
1785.     And  he  might  have  said  the  same  of  every  village 
and  town  west  of  the  mountains;   but  had  he  crossed  the 
Monongahela,  and  penetrated  into  the  country,  he  would  have 
found  large  and  devout  congregations  at  Montour's  Run  and 
Raccoon  —  turning  to  the  right,  and  still  bearing  westward, 
he  would  have  found  King's  Creek  (now  Florence,)  without  a 
pastor,  indeed,  but  regularly  supplied  and  highly  prosperous 
—  turnino;  to  the  left  in  his  onward  course,  he  would  have 
been  astonished  at  the  large  assemblies  at  Cross  Creek  and 
Buffalo — wheeling  further  to  the  left,  he  would  have  soon 
been  at  Chartiers,  and  then  Pidgeon  Creek — large  and  flour- 
ishing churches.     The  state  of  the  country  was  then,  indeed, 
very  singular.      Had  a  traveller,  during  almost    the  whole 


THE    GOSPEL    PASSED    FROM    COUNTRY    TO    TOWX.         219 

latter  period  of  the  Old  Redstone  Presbytery,  confined  his 
visits  and  his  observations  to  towns  and  villages,  he  might 
have  inferred  that  he  had  got  into  a  heathenish  land  —  "  in 
partibus  infidelium."  Had  some  one,  on  the  other  hand,  car- 
ried him  round  the  country  churches  —  especially  in  1T87, 
■when  in  several  of  them  there  was  a  revival  of  religion  —  he 
would  have  thought  that  he  had  got  into  an  earthly  Canaan  ! 
Now  what  a  singular  feature  of  our  early  Presbyterian  history 
was  this  ! 

In  the  third  and  fourth  centuries,  Christianity  had  taken 
possession  of  the  cities  and  towns — heathenism  and  idolatry 
lingered  in  the  country  and  retired  hamlets.  Indeed,  when 
the  gospel  commenced  its  victorious  march  through  the  gates 
of  Jerusalem,  after  the  days  of  Pentecost — the  Apostles  and 
evangelists  went,  everywhere,  first  to  the  crowded  and  popu- 
lous dwellings  of  men — to  Ephesus,  and  Athens,  and  Rome, 
and  to  the  other  cities  and  chief  towns  of  the  Roman  provinces. 
And  this  peculiar  feature  in  the  early  history  of  Christianity, 
furnishes  convincing  evidence  of  its  divine  origin.  Errors, 
heresies,  and  wild  delusions  of  every  sort,  usually  begin  in 
retired  and  unfrequented  parts  of  a  country,  shunning  in 
their  earlier  development,  publicity  and  searching  investiga- 
tion. But  the  gospel,  "beginning  at  Jerusalem"  and  boldly 
marching  into  the  seats  of  learning,  science,  philosophy,  and 
human  power,  at  once  and  everywhere  challenged  the  most 
unsparing  scrutiny  into  its  claims  of  a  Heaven-sealed  testi- 
mony. It  was  not  till  the  second  and  third  century  that  the 
gospel,  to  any  considerable  degree,  penetrated  the  country 
and  the  rural  hamlets.  The  country  bishops  or  pastors  were 
a  class  of  ministers  that  had  at  first  no  existence.  *'  But  as 
the  bishop  in  the  city  could  not  extend  his  labors  and  inspec- 
tion to  all  the  churches  in  the  country  and  villages,  he 
appointed  deputies  to  govern  and  instruct  the  new  societies." 
(Mosheim's  Eccl.  Hist.,  B.  1,  Par  tlL,  Chap.  2.)  The  learned 
Gibbon  tells  us,  (Note,  n(far  the  end  of  Chapter  21st  of  his 
"Decline  and  Fall,"  &c.)  that,  "pagan  and   rural  became 


220  CONTRAST   WITH    THE    FIRST   CEXTURY. 

almost  synonymous,  and  the  meaner  rustics  acquired  that 
name  which  has  been  corrupted  into  peasants,  in  the  modern 
languages  of  Europe."  "  And  then  when  Christianity  gradu- 
ally filled  the  cities  of  the  empire,  the  old  religion  in  the 
time  of  Prudentius  and  Orosius,  retired  and  languished  in 
obscure  villages :  and  the  word  pagans  with  its  new  significa- 
tion" was  thus  applied.  Here  the  case  was  widely  different. 
The  people,  at  first,  were  all  in  the  country.  And  they  were, 
to  some  extent,  already  a  Christian  people.  This  peculiar 
social  condition  did  not,  it  is  true,  originate  in  the  West ;  it 
was  brought  out  from  Eastern  Pennsylvania — from  Scotland, 
and  from  the  North  of  Ireland.  A  free,  quiet,  industrious, 
rural  population,  in  a  high  degree  moral  and  religious  — 
dwelling  apart  on  their  own  farms,  is  a  condition  of  society 
that  never  has  existed  but  under  the  influence  of  enlightened 
Protestant  Christianity. 

The  serf  system  of  feudal  times  was  a  system  of  involun- 
tary servitude.  And  so  under  all  the  ancient  systems  of 
government.  Not  even  the  Jews,  in  the  most  flourishing 
period  of  their  theocratic  commonwealth,  knew  anything  of 
homestead  farms  and  separate  dwellings,  scattered  over  hill 
and  dale.  They  dwelt  in  towns  and  villages.  And  so  now, 
in  almost  all  popish  countries ;  and  so  in  all  Mohamedan  and 
pagan  lands.  But  the  grand  peculiarity  of  Western  Penn- 
sylvania, never  before  in  the  history  of  the  world  illustrated 
by  any  similar  example,  was  the  existence  of  a  highly  moral, 
industrious,  free,  Christian  yeomanry,  without  any  towns 
whatever.  Such  was  the  character  of  the  first  garden  of  the 
mighty  West.  Thus  in  a  sense  which  the  poet  did  not  dream 
of,  "  God  made  the  country,  and  man  made  the  town."  And 
our  towns  and  cities  as  they  afterwards  grew  up,  first  obtained 
their  supplies  of  gospel  ordinances  from  the  country.  Our 
country  bishops  visited  them,  preached  to  them,  baptised  their 
children,  and  administered  the  Lord's  supper  to  them  — 
ordained  their  elders  and  watched-  over  them  with  parental 
care.    The  people  of  many  of  our  now  most  flourishing  towns, 


THE  LESSO^"S  TAUGUT  EY  THIS  ACCOUNT.       221 

once  belonged  to  country  churches.  For  instance,  those  of 
Brownsville,  to  Dunlap  creek ;  of  Florence,  to  King's  creek ; 
of  M'Keesport  and  Elizabeth,  to  Roundhill ;  of  West  Newton, 
to  Sewicklj ;  of  Washington,  to  Chartiers  and  Buffalo ;  of 
Canonsburg,  to  Chartiers ;  of  Uniontown,  to  the  Tent  church  ; 
of  Connelsville  to  Tyrone  and  Laurel  Hill — and  so  on,  through- 
out the  entire  bounds  of  the  Old  Bedstone  Presbytery.  It  is 
worthy  of  notice  how  often  Pittsburg,  Washington,  and 
Wheeling  are  suppliants  at  the  door  of  the  Bedstone  Pres- 
bytery, begging,  by  their  commissioners,  for  supplies. 
Where  our  town  and  city  churches  have  now  grown  large, 
independent  and  wealthy,  let  them  not  be  high-minded,  but 
fear,  remembering  "  the  rock  whence  they  were  hewn,  and  the 
hole  of  the  pit  whence  they  were  digged."  Let  them  not, 
like  Jeshuron  of  old,  "  wax  fat  and  kick,"  when  some  poor 
country  church  asks  them,  sometimes,  for  a  pittance  to  help 
them  along. 

There  is  danger,  on  the  other  hand,  of  country  chm-ches 
and  their  pastors  too,  either  wholly  neglecting  or  taking  but 
little  interest  in  the  spiritual  wants  of  flourishing  villages 
that  spring  up  in  their  bounds.  The  reminiscences  of  old 
times,  and  strong  attachment  to  old  country  churches,  with 
their  graveyards — the  rural  habits  of  many  of  our  people ; 
their  aversion,  at  first,  to  go  into  towns  to  attend  upon  public 
worship,  often  occasion  a  reluctance  to  favor  the  erection 
of  places  of  worship,  or  the  organization  of  either  parasitic 
or  independent  churches  in  villages.  Other  bodies  more  wise 
and  politic,  go  in  and  build  up  churches  and  houses  of  wor- 
ship in  the  heart  of  such  towns.  Sometimes,  even  when  the 
point  has  been  yielded,  houses  for  worship  are  built  out  in  the 
suburbs,  at  inconvenient  distances  to  the  townspeople ;  espe- 
cially to  females,  in  bad  weather.  Even  our  old  ministers, 
from  their  long  habits  and  prejudices  in  favor  of  the  country, 
have  been  known  to  oppose  strenuously  the  organization  of 
churches  in  adjoining  villages.  It  is  worse  than  useless,  it  is 
wicked  now  to  contend — because  our  church  was  once  rural, 


222  RELIGIOUS   CONVERSATION. 

that  now  in  a  widely  different  state  of  the  country  we  must 
keep  it  so.  Let  town  and  country  now  act  as  did  Abraham 
and  Lot. — But  we  are  not  yet  q^ite  done  with  this  topic. 

There  was  one  feature  in  the  religious  character  of  those 
early  times,  connected  with  the  rural  state  and  habits  of  our 
people,  too  important  to  be  passed  without  notice.  As  they 
were  strict  observers  of  the  Sabbath,  they  generally  avoided 
all  worldly  conversation  on  that  day.  As  they  were  much 
thrown  together  on  their  way  to  and  from  their  places  of  wor- 
ship, and  whilst  there,  before  the  commencement  of  public 
worship,  and  during  intermissions,  they  were  led  to  converse 
much  together,  on  various  religious  topics.  But  as  they  had 
no  religious  newspapers,  or  magazines,  they  were  not,  as 
now,  supplied  with  topics  from  these  sources.  Doctrinal  sub- 
jects, and  those  relating  to  experimental  religion,  and  to  the 
various  exercises  and  trials  of  gracious  souls  —  the  sermon 
which  they  had  heard — passages  of  Scripture  which  had  been 
cited  in  the  discourses,  &c.,  offered  a  wide  field,  and  never 
left  them  at  a  loss  for  matters  of  edifying  discourse.  Their 
''  speech  was  always  with  grace,  seasoned  with  salt."  They 
looked  upon  such  conversation  as  not  only  most  opportune  to 
the  Sabbath-day,  but  as  a  means  of  grace — an  ordinance  of 
God.  As  they  were  a  God-fearing  people,  "  they  spake  often 
one  to  another."  They  were  generally  careful  to  improve  all 
seasonable  opportunities  for  such  conversation,  in  company 
with  children  and  young  people.  They  appeared  to  think  the 
divine  injunction  given  to  God's  chosen  people,  under  the  old 
dispensation,  still  binding.  *'  Thou  shalt  teach  them  diligently 
unto  thy  children,  and  shall  talk  with  them  when  thou  sittest 
in  their  house,  and  when  thou  walkest  by  the  way,  and  when 
thou  liest  down,  and  when  thou  risest  up."  Many  of  them 
could  heartily  respond  to  the  language  of  the  Psalmist,  "  My 
goodness  extendeth  not  to  thee,  but  to  the  saints  that  are  in 
the  earth,  and  the  excellent,  in  whom  is  all  my  delight."  *'  I 
am  a  companion  of  all  them  that  fear  thee,  and  of  them- that 
keep  thy  precepts." 


ITS    PREVALENCE    IN    EARLY    TIMES.  '2'26 

Like  the  disciples  on  their  Avay  to  Emaus,  "  they  talked 
together  of  all  these  things  which  had  happened."  Nor  could 
they  be  persuaded  that  religious  conversation  was  a  mere 
abrogated  Jewish  ordinance  and  custom.  They  read,  in  their 
New  Testaments,  the  solemn  injunctions,  '' comfort  yourselves 
together,  and  edify  one  another  even  as  also  ye  do."  "  Warn 
them  that  are  unruly,  comfort  the  feeble-minded,  support  the 
weak,"  &c.  "Exhort  one  another  daily,  while  it  is  called  to- 
day, lest  any  of  you  be  hardened  through  the  deceitfulness  of 
sin."  "Let  us  consider  one  another  to  provoke  unto  love  and 
to  good  works — not  forsaking  the  assembling  of  yourselves 
together,  as  the  manner  of  some  is,  but  exhorting  one  another." 
They  found  that  these  and  similar  passages  prescribed  a  gene- 
ral duty,  and  an  important  work — not  merely  to  ministers  and 
ruling  elders,  but  to  the  whole  household  of  faith.  Yet  they 
were  not  in  the  practice  of  holding  class-meetings,  or  of  tell- 
ing indiscriminately,  in  promiscuous  companies,  thoir  own  re- 
ligious exercises.  Few  of  them,  indeed,  said  much  about  their 
own  feelings,  or  the  dealings  of  God  with  their  souls — except 
to  those  with  whom  they  were  on  terms  of  peculiar  intimacy. 
Yet  we  venture  to  say,  never  were  there  a  Christian  people 
more  accustomed  to  religious  conversation,  especially  on  the 
Sabbath,  than  were  early  Western  Presbyterians.  And  it  is  ( 
surprising  what  delight  they  took>in  it,  and  what  expertness 
and  skill  many  of  them  acquired.*  Many  persons  of  other- 
wise very  humble  positions  in  secular  life,  were  pre-eminent 
for  their  usefulness  in  this  service.  In  most  of  the  churches, 
there  were  several  persons  whose  society  was  much  coveted 
on  this  account.  The  young  people  were  often  greatly  in- 
structed and  benefited,  in  this  way.  Their  communion  sea- 
sons afforded  many  opportunities  for  such  pious  conversations. 
Where  considerable  numbers  would  lodge,  for  the  night,  at 

*  Bishop  Burnet,  had  he  lived  in  those  days,  and  mingled  with  some 
of  our  pious  first  settlers,  would  have  been  as  much  astonished  at  their 
rehgious  knowledge,  and  edifying  prayers,  as  he  tells  us  he  was,  when 
he  was  among  the  peasantry  of  Scotland.     See  "  Ilia  Own  Times." 


224  RELIGIOUS   CONVERSATION. 

neighboring  houses,  thej  would  be  found  in  different  groups, 
or  all  together,  employed  in  this  manner — generally  closing 
with  singing  and  prayer. 

No  one  can  understand  the  spirit  of  those  times,  who  leaves 
out  of  view  this  very  interesting  and  marked  peculiarity  of 
their  social  religious  habits.  Now  the  fact  that  our  people, 
in  those  days,  lived  in  the  country,  and  were,  on  that  account, 
brought  together  in  the  manner  we  have  described,  was  inti- 
mately connected  with  this  important  feature.  How  greatly 
we  have  degenerated,  in  this  respect !  May  it  not  be  ques- 
tioned whether  our  religious  periodicals  have  really  contributed 
much  to  keep  up  this  ordinance  of  God  ?  They  have  meant 
otherwise,  doubtless.  But  from  the  secular  character  of  large 
portions  of  them,  it  is  doubtful  whether  their  reading,  in  most 
of  our  families,  does  not  rather  increase  the  worldly  tone  of 
conversation  in  our  day. 

The  above  features  of  early  Presbyterianism  accounts  for 
that  character  of  our  Western  Zion  which  entitled  her  to  the 
following  testimony,  at  a  later  period : 

*' Pittsburg  Synod,"  said  Dr.  Alexander,  in  1833,  "is  the 
purest  and  soundest  limb  of  the  Presbyterian  body.  When 
we  fall  to  pieces  in  this  quarter,  and  in  the  far  West,  that 
Synod  will  be  like  a  marble  column  which  remains  undis- 
turbed in  the  ruins  of  a  mighty  temple.  I  do  not  know  but 
that  more  of  us  will  be  obliged  to  seek  an  ultimate  refuge  in 
that  region,  from  the  overflowing  of  new  divinity  and  new 
measures." — Extract  of  a  Letter  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Weed,  in 
the  Life  of  Br.  Alexander,  p.  477. 

This  passage  might  have  found  an  appropriate  place  in  a 
part  of  our  Introduction — but  it  is  not  out  of  place  as  a  pen- 
dant to  this  chapter.  How  much  does  Dr.  Alexander's  lan- 
guage, in  those  dark  days  of  our  Church,  resemble  the  lan- 
guage of  General  Washington — already  quoted  in  a  note — 
in  the  dark  days  of  our  American  Revolution ! 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH 


REV.  JAMES  POWER,  D.D 


The  National  Road,  from  Cumberland  to  Brownsville,  tra- 
verses the  celebrated  old  road  called  "Braddock's  Trail." 
This  was  the  first  road  ever  opened  across  the  mountains  to 
the  West,  in  1755.  As  it  descends  the  Laurel  Hill,  it  pre- 
sents, at  various  openings,  by  far  the  most  sublime  and  glo- 
rious view  of  that  vast  valley  which  stretches  onward  and 
spreads  out  right  and  left,  bounded  to  the  vision  only  by  the 
far  distant  horizon,  touching  the  seemingly  uprising  earth. 
But  the  traveller  is  aware  that,  vast  as  the  range  of  his  vision 
is,  he  sees  but  a  speck  of  the  panorama.  To  one  who  has 
spent  all  his  previous  life  on  the  "Atlantic  Slope,"  the  im- 
pressions must  be  new  and  almost  overpowering;  such  as 
James  Ross  felt  when  he  came  suddenly  upon  a  view  of  one 
of  our  western  lakes,  with  its  boundless  waste  of  waters,  and 
exclaimed  "  Oh,  Eternity  !"  In  such  a  position  stood  an  emi- 
grant, on  the  summit  of  the  Laurel  Hill,  early  in  November, 
177(3.  But  he  was  not  alone.  Almost  all  that  he  held  dear 
on  earth  were  by  his  side :  his  wife  and  four  little  daughters. 
They  were  mounted  on  horses ;  his  wife  on  one,  he  on  ano- 
ther ;  his  oldest  daughter  behind  him,  his  youngest,  almost  a 
babe,  seated  on  a  pillow  before  him ;  the  two  other  children 
comfortably  and  cozily  sitting  in  a  sort  of  hamper  baskets, 
one  on  each  side  of  a  led  horse.  He  was  now  about  to  enter 
15  (225) 


226  A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH    OF 

the  western  world  with  his  helpless  family,  and  to  make  it  his 
future  home.     Did  that  sight,  when  November  had  clothed 
the  western  forests,  not  with  "the  sere  and  yellow  leaf,"  such 
phrase  as  English  writers   are  fond  of  using  in  describing 
their  autumn ;  but  with  all  the  rich  and  varied  tints  of  the 
rainbow,  such  as  are  peculiar  to  the  American  woods  in  the 
fall  of  the  year  —  did  that  sight  deeply  affect  with  joy  and 
hope,  or  with  despondency  and  fear,  those  young  parents  ? 
What  was  their  purpose  ?     What  could  justify  their  removal 
from  all  the  comforts  of  their  eastern  home,  and  their  perilous 
adventure  to  seek  a  home  in  western  wilds  ?    The  world  smiles 
with  approbation  upon  those  who,  in  pursuit  of  wealth  or 
renown,  encounter  the  risk  of  losing  health,  and  happiness, 
and  life  itself.     Will  it  justify  this  man  in  his  bold  advance, 
with  his  wife  and  little  daughters,  upon  all  the  perils  of  the 
wilderness?     When  they  are    told  that   all  this  wearisome 
journey,  and  this  daring  encounter  of  the  trials  and  sorrows 
of  frontier  life,  were  simply  that  he  might  preach  the  ever- 
lasting gospel,  and  aid  in  laying  the  foundations  of  our  western 
Zion,  the  world  laughs  with  scorn.     But  Heaven  smiled  that 
day  upon  this  emigrant  family,  and  gave  his  guardian  angels 
charge  concerning  them,  and  watched  over  them  with  sleep- 
less care ;  through  many  a  long  future  year,  crowned  their 
world-despised  mission  to  the  West  with  complete  success, 
and,  late  in  life,  called  them  home  to  their  final  rest.     Those 
four  little  daughters  are  believed,  long  since,  to  have  joined 
their  parents  in  heaven.    The  two  little  girls  sitting  so  snugly 
in  the  wicker-baskets  afterwards  became  ministers'  wives,  and 
bore  their  full  share  in  the  duties  and  toils  of  that  responsible 
station,  and  then  finished  their  course  with  joy  and  died  in 
the  faith.    Three  other  daughters,  that  were  born  afterwards, 
have  also  gone  to  their  rest,  and  another  —  for  there  were 
eight  in  all — still  lingers,  at  a  very  advanced  age,  in  Summit 
County,  Ohio.     But  who  was  this  man?     It  was  the  Rev. 
James  Power,  D.D. ;  the  first  ordained  minister  that  ever 
settled,  with  his  family,  in  Western  Pennsylvania. 


THE    REV.    JAMES    POWER.  227 

Ho  was  born  in  1746,  in  Chester  County,  Pennsylvania. 
It  was  in  Nottingham,  the  most  western  part  of  that  county. 
His  parents  were  pious  people.  Ills  father  was  a  substantial 
farmer,  and  had  emigrated,  early  in  life,  fron  the  north  of 
Ireland,  and  settled  here  amongst  his  countrymen,  who  com- 
posed the  majority  of  the  neighborhood.  It  is  believed  that 
he  obtained  his  preparation  for  college  at  the  Fag's  Manor 
School,  then  in  the  hands  of  the  Rev.  John  Blair,  an  emi- 
nent scholar,  and  one  of  the  most  distinguished  and  successful 
ministers  of  his  day.  At  quite  an  early  age,  he  went  to  the 
College  of  Nassau  Hall,  at  Princeton,  New  Jersey,  where  he 
graduated  in  the  fall  of  1766.  The  president  of  that  insti- 
tution, the  Rev.  Samuel  Finley,  D.D.,  had  died  a  few  months 
before,  in  Philadelphia,  July  16th,  1766.  Dr.  Finley  had 
gone  down  to  the  city  in  quest  of  medical  advice.  But  he 
never  returned,  grew  much  worse  in  health,  and,  after  a  few 
weeks,  during  which  he  bore  a  noble  testimony  to  the  con- 
soling power  of  religion  and  the  riches  of  divine  grace,  he 
died  a  most  triumphant  death.  A  large  part  of  the  Senior 
class,  among  whom  was  ^Ir.  Power,  went  in  a  body  from 
Princeton  to  Philadelphia  to  visit  their  beloved  dying  presi- 
dent. Dr.  Mason  gives  no  special  account  of  that  interview ; 
but  we  had  the  statement  from  Dr.  Powers  himself.*  It  pro- 
bably made  an  indelible  impression  on  young  Powers'  mind, 
and  helped  to  make  him  a  western  missionary.  He  was 
licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Newcastle,  June  24th,  1772, 
at  Mill  Creek. 

His  health,  which  never  became  very  robust,  was  at  this 
time  feeble,  and  had  somewhat  retarded  his  progress  in  his 
studies  preparatory  to  licensure.  On  the  23d  of  December, 
ensuing,  his  Presbytery  gave  him  leave  "  to  take  a  journey 
into  some  parts  of  Virginia."  Though  there  is  no  record  on 
the  minutes  about  it,  he  manifestly  took  this  journey ;  for  in 
August  following,  he  received  a  call  from  the  united  congre- 

*  lie  was  one  of  the  eight  students  who  bore  the  corpse  to  the  grave. 


228  A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH   OF 

gallons  of  Highbridge,  Cambridge  and  Oxford,  in  Bottetourt 
County,  Virginia.  Why  he  declined  this  call,  there  is  nothing 
left  among  his  papers  to  show;  and  even  -whether  he  ever 
again  visited  that  region,  we  cannot  tell.  He  might,  as  Dr. 
M'Millan  did,  in  a  similar  case,  have  passed  first  up  the 
Valley  of  Virginia,  and  after  laboring  there  for  a  short 
season,  have  bent  his  way  across  the  mountains  to  Western 
Pennsylvania.  For  in  the  following  summer,  1774,  he  was 
out  west  of  the  mountains,  and  spent  three  months  in  mis- 
sionary labors,  through  all  the  settlements  of  what  are  now 
Washington,  Allegheny,  Westmoreland,  and  Fayette  counties. 
This  fact,  the  Rev.  T.  Hunt,  his  son-in-law,  says  he  had 
repeatedly  from  Dr.  Power  himself,  while  his  memory  was 
perfectly  sound  and  unimpaired.  John  C.  Plummer,  Esq., 
of  Westmoreland  County,  also  affirms  that  he  frequently 
heard  his  father,  and  other  aged  persons,  speaking  of  Dr. 
Power  having  been  in  that  region  before  he  came  with  his 
family,  and  having  preached  at  the  place  where  the  first 
Sewickly  church  was  erected"*  —  where  the  Associate  Re- 
formed church  now  stands. 

After  the  expiration  of  this  tour  through  Western  Penn- 
sylvania, he  returned  to  the  east,  and  preached  as  a  stated 
supply  for  nearly  two  years,  to  a  congregation  in  which  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Magraw  afterwards  labored,  probably  West  Notting- 
ham, and  at  another  place  within  the  borders  of  Maryland. 
In  the  spring  of  1776,  he  seems  to  have  made  up  his  mind 
to  remove  to  the  West.  For  on  the  23d  of  May,  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Newcastle  asked  and  obtained  leave  of  the  Synod 
of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  to  ordain  him  ''sine  titido,'' 
assigning  to  the  Synod  as  the  reason  that  "  he  was  about  to 
remove  to  the  Western  parts  of  this  province."  He  was 
accordingly  ordained  at  their  next  meeting,  at  Octorara  on 
the  2d  Tuesday  of  the  following  August.  It  was  but  a  few 
months  after  this,  that  he  removed  to  Western  Pennsylvania 
with  his  family. 

*  Appendix  to  Life  of  Macurdy. 


THE    REV.    JAMES    POWER.  229 

Dr.  M'Millan,  in  his  letter  to  Dr.  Carnahan,  written  in 
1832,  states  that  Dr.  Power  settled  at  Mount  Pleasant  in  1781. 
This  statement  has  given  rise  to  the  supposition  that  this  was 
the  period  of  his  removal  to  the  "West.  It  may  be  that  Dr. 
M'Millan  refers  merely  to  the  period  of  his  taking  the  regular 
pastoral  charge  of  that  congregation.  But  he  labored  there 
and  at  Unity,  as  well  as  at  Laurel  Ilill ;  at  Dunlap's 
Creek,  Tyrone,  and  Sewickly,  some  years  before.  He  was 
indeed,  a  sort  of  missionary  pastor,  for  some  years.  But  that 
he  actually  came  out  with  his  family  in  the  fall  of  1776,  is 
ascertainted  with  absolute  certainty  in  two  ways.  In  the 
obituary  notice  of  his  daughter  Rebecca,  who  was  first  the 
wife  of  the  Rev.  D.  Smith,  and  afterwards  of  the  Rev.  T. 
Hunt,  and  who  died  in  1839,  it  is  stated  that  she  was  born 
December  12th,  1776,  about  a  month  after  her  father  had 
arrived  with  his  family  in  the  bounds  of  Dunlap's  Creek  con- 
gregation, and  was  the  first  child  born  in  the  family  of  a  Pres- 
byterian minister  west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains.  This 
statement  is  given  in  the  obituary  of  Mrs.  Hunt,  written  by 
Mr.  Hunt,  who  was  accurately  informed  as  to  the  facts.  In 
the  second  place,  Rebecca,  this  first  child  born  west  of  the 
mountains  in  a  minister's  family,  was  married  in  1795 — and 
was  then  as  she  always  afterwards  said,  in  her  twentieth  year. 
This  brings  us  again  precisely  to  the  same  period,  1776.  Mr. 
Power,  beyond  all  question  then,  was  out  in  the  west,  with  his 
family,  either  the  last  of  October,  or  early  in  November  of 
that  year.  Another  tradition  of  that  period  is  preserved. 
"When  Dr.  M'Millan  two  years  after,  in  1778,  was  on  his  way 
with  his  family  to  Chartiers,  he  lodged  a  night  with  Mr. 
Power.  And  we  may  well  suppose  it  was  an  interesting  even- 
ing to  their  two  families.  "  From  the  time  of  his  arrival  in 
the  West,  in  the  fall  of  1776,  until  the  spring  of  1779,  Dr. 
Power,  according  to  the  statements  of  some  of  his  family 
conections,  devoted  his  time  to  the  work  of  supplying  the 
destitute  churches  generally — although  he  lived  at  Dunlap's 
Creek,  and  regarded  that  as  the  principal  point  of  his  labors ; 


230  A  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH    OF 

and  it  was  not  until  the  spring  of  1779,  that  he  became  the 
regular  pastor  of  Sewickly  and  Mount  Pleasant  congrega- 
tions."* 

A  different  opinion  has  prevailed  with  some,  who  have  re- 
ceived the  impression  that  he,  almost  immediately  after  his 
arrival  from  the  East,  began  his  pastoral  labors  at  these 
places.  This  has  arisen,  we  suppose,  from  the  fact  that  he 
did,  to  some  extent,  begin  his  labors  there,  preaching,  visiting, 
and  catechising  the  children.  But  there  is  ample  proof  that, 
for  some  years,  the  range  of  his  labors  was  much  more  ex- 
tended ;  including  Dunlap's  Creek,  Laurel  Hill,  Tyrone,  and 
Unity.  He  was  even  more  than  once  on  a  visit  to  the  settle- 
ments in  Washington  County ;  for  he  baptized,  during  this 
period,  Mr.  Marquis's  child,  in  Cross  Creek,  when  he  was 
there  on  his  first  visit.  It  is  stated  in  the  brief  memoir  of 
that  excellent  man,  in  the  Appendix  to  the  *'  Life  of  Ma- 
curdy,"  p.  287:  "During  this  period,  1778,  they  were  fa- 
vored by  a  visit  from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Power,  who  preached  to 
them  at  Vance's  Fort ;  on  which  occasion,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mar- 
quis presented  their  first  child  to  God  in  baptism.  This  was 
the  first  sermon  preached,  and  the  first  child  baptized,  in  that 
region  of  country.  The  next  year  a  church  was  organised,  of 
which  this  pious  couple  became  members." 

It  is  also  remarkable  that  when,  some  time  afterwards,  Mr. 
Smith  visited  them,  and  the  meeting  took  place  for  an  elec- 
tion of  a  pastor,  Mr.  Power  had  several  votes — we  suppose, 
without  his  leave  or  knowledge.  These  two  men,  rivals  then, 
were  to  become  closely  allied  in  their  future  labors,  and  in 
the  marriage  of  their  children.  But  Mr.  Smith  did  not  live 
to  witness  the  latter  event.  He  (Mr.  P.)  probably  organised 
Sewickly  congregation  very  soon  after  his  arrival  in  the 
neighborhood.  Of  the  united  congregations  of  Mountpleasant 
and  Sewickly,  he  continued  the  pastor  until  August  22d, 
1787,  when  he  gave  up  Sewickly,  confining  himself  thence- 

*  Appendix  to  Life  of  Macurdy. 


THE    REV.    JAMES    POWER.  231 

forward  altogether  to  Mount  Pleasant.  That  congregation 
engaged  to  pay  him  yearly  .£120,  as  his  salary.  This  rela- 
tion extended  on  till  April  15th,  1817;  when,  at  his  request, 
on  account  of  advanced  age  and  infirmity,  it  was  dissolved. 
He  lived  on,  however,  among  them,  greatly  venerated  and 
beloved,  thirteen  years  longer ;  strengthening  the  hands  of 
his  successor,  the  Rev.  Dr.  A.  0.  Patterson,  and  co-operating 
with  him  as  far  as  his  strength  allowed.  Never,  perhaps,  did 
a  young  pastor  feel  more  entirely  satisfied  with  the  constant 
presence  of  his  predecessor,  and  with  his  friendly  counsel  and 
support,  than  did  Dr.  P.  If  all  old  ministers  could  behave 
themselves  as  well  as  did  Dr.  Power  in  this  respect,  such  pas- 
toral charges  or  vacancies,  instead  of  becoming  objects  of 
serious  apprehension,  and  sometimes  of  absolute  aversion, 
would  be  invested  with  an  increased  attraction.  He  died 
August  5th,  1830,  in  the  85th  year  of  his  age. 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  Col.  James  Smith, 
dated  Jacobs'  Creek,  September  8th,  1785,  addressed  to  his 
sister  in  Franklin  County,  bears  very  favorable  testimony  to 
the  ministerial  character  of  Dr.  Power,  and  shows  the  pro- 
gress which  the  gospel  had  made  in  that  part  of  the  country, 
at  the  time  in  which  it  was  written.  Col.  Smith  was  a  man 
of  vigorous  intellect  and  decided  piety,  who  had  doubtless 
been  profited  by  Mr.  Power's  ministry.  He  says:  "We  have 
half  of  Mr.  Power's  labors  here.  I  think  that  he  is  a  faithful 
and  able  minister  of  the  gospel,  especially  for  reclaiming 
backsliders,  and  for  encouraging  believers  to  continue  stead- 
fast in  the  Christian  road.  I  have  reason  to  bless  God  that 
he  has  ever  been  sent  among  us.  I  have  had  some  happy 
days  since  I  wrote  you  last.  We  had  the  sacrament  of  the 
Lord's  Supper  administered  to  us  last  Sabbath.  We  have  a 
considerable  number  of  apparently  pious  ministers  in  the 
western  part  of  the  world,  where  we  heard  lately  nothing  but 
the  yells  of  savages  and  wolves,  &c. ;  but  now  we  have  the 
word  of  God,  with  peace  and  plenty;  and  the  ordinances  of 
God's  house  duly  administered.     And  I  not  only  enjoy  the 


232  A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH   OF 

external  means  of  grace,  but  I  have  likewise  an  ear  to  hear 
the  voice  of  the  eternal  Son  of  God,  —  so  that  I  may  justly 
say,  the  lines  are  fallen  to  me  in  pleasant  places,  I  have  a 
goodly  heritage."  * 

Dr.  Elliott  closes  his  account  of  Dr.  Power  in  these  words : 
"  Dr.  Power  appears  to  have  been  an  excellent  man,  and  a 
useful  minister,  of  a  remarkably  mild  disposition,  and  uniform 
deportment.  He  was  a  graceful  speaker,  and  a  polished  gen- 
tleman— neat  and  exact  in  his  dress  and  habits,  and  courteous 
in  his  manners.  He  had  a  remarkable  faculty  for  retaining 
the  knowledge  of  names  and  faces.  The  Trustees  of  JeiFer- 
son  College  testified  their  respect  for  him  by  conferring  on 
him  the  Degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity,  in  1808.  Besides  the 
daughter  already  mentioned,  he  had  two  other  daughters 
married  to  ministers — one  to  the  Rev.  William  Swan,  and 
the  other  to  the  Rev.  Thomas  Moore." 

One  who,  from  his  boyhood,  knew  him  well,  and  who  was 
probably  baptized  by  him,  tells  us,  "  He  was  of  remarkably 
easy  manners,  and  graceful  in  and  out  of  the  pulpit — at  all 
times  maintaining  the  high  dignity  of  a  minister  of  the  gospel 
of  Christ.  He  had  no  enemies.  When  he  came  to  my  father's 
house,  he  always  spoke  to  the  boys  and  girls,  shook  hands, 
and  named  them.  When  seated,  he  was  apt  to  look  at  each 
individually,  as  if  to  identify  them  afterwards.  He  had  a 
sweet  voice,  spoke  with  great  ease,  emphasizing  very  distinctly 
every  sentence.  He  always  appeared  in  his  element  when 
lecturing  on  a  Psalm.  He  was  plain  and  very  neat  in  his 
dress."  t 

Dr.  Carnahan  says  of  him,  "  He  was  a  polished,  gentle- 
manly man — remarkably  neat  in  his  dress — a  very  correct 
and  graceful  speaker.  His  power  of  remembering  names,  and 
of  recognising  persons,  was  very  remarkable.  For  several 
years  he  preached  at  three  places.  Mount  Pleasant,  Tyrone, 
and  Sewickly.     From  one  extremity  of  his  parishes  to  the 

*  Appendix  to  Life  of  Macurdy.  f  John  Plummer,  Esq. 


THE   REV.    JAMES    POWER.  233 

other  was  at  least  30  miles.  Yet  he  was  in  the  habit  of  visit- 
ing every  family  under  his  charge,  accompanied  by  one  or 
more  of  his  elders.  And  after  he  visited  the  families  in  a 
neighborhood,  he  called  them  together,  and  had  an  examina- 
tion on  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel — the  heads  of  families, 
the  young  people,  and  the  children,  in  separate  divisions.  I 
have  heard  of  men  and  women,  60  years  of  age,  saying  the 
Assembly's  Catechism,  giving  the  proofs  from  the  Bible,  and 
the  explanations  of  Fisher.  Ilis  habit  was,  when  he  visited  a 
family,  to  ask  the  names  of  the  children,  in  the  order  of  their 
ages,  and  also  of  domestics ;  and  at  future  visits  he  was  sure 
to  recognise  each  member  of  the  family,  and  to  call  each  by 
name.  Yet  this  man  could  not,  some  years  before  his  death, 
recognise  his  own  children,  after  a  short  absence,  or  distin- 
guish one  from  another." 

This  last  fact  is  remarkable ;  but,  like  Bishop  Beveridge, 
he  never  forgot  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  He  died  in  great 
peace,  at  a  patriarchal  age. 

Such  was  the  man  who  renounced  all  the  comforts  of  more 
refined  society,  and  all  the  prospects  of  this  world's  emolu- 
ments and  enjoyments,  and  became  the  first  settled  minister 
in  the  bounds  of  the  Old  Redstone  Presbytery.  He  had 
buried  his  wife  some  years  before  his  own  death.  She  was  a 
woman  admirably  adapted  to  her  station — an  excellent  mana- 
ger, taking  ofi"  Mr.  Power's  hands  much  of  the  cares  and  dis- 
tractions of  his  domestic  afi'airs,  and  giving  him  time  to  devote 
himself  to  his  Master's  work.*     They  lived  long  and  happily 

*  It  is  not  very  easy  to  form  a  just  estimate  of  the  cares  and  trials  of 
this  early  pioneer.  In  a  very  few  years  after  his  settlement  in  the 
"West,  he  had  a  family  of  eight  daughters  to  provide  for,  and  train  up 
in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord.  But  he  and  his  brethren, 
Smith  and  M'Millan,  were  blessed  with  wives  that  were  truly  "gifts  of 
the  Lord."  They  were  eminent  not  only  for  their  piety  and  energy  of 
character,  but  for  their  economical  and  judicious  management  of  their 
households.  *'  They  did  their  husbands  good,  and  not  evil,  all  the  days 
of  their  lives.  They  sought  wool  and  flax,  and  wrought  willingly  with 
their  hands.     Their  husbands  were  known  in  the  gates,  when  they  sat 


234  A   BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH   OF 

together,  and  raised  a  lovely  family  of  daughters,  every  one 
of  whom  married  well,  and,  with  one  exception,  raised  fami- 
lies, now  widely  scattered  over  the  West.  May  they  all  be 
gathered,  at  last,  into  the  family  above  ! 

Since  the  foregoing  was  written,  we  have  met  with  the  fol- 
lowing sketch,  believed  to  be  from  the  pen  of  Dr.  Carnahan, 
published,  not  long  since,  in  the  Presbyterian  Banner : 

In  his  person  Mr.  Power  was  slender  and  erect,  of  a  me- 
dium height,  and  at  no  period  of  life  became  corpulent.  In 
his  dress  he  was  always  plain,  and  at  the  same  time  remark- 
ably neat ;  so  that  it  was  a  matter  of  surprise  that  he  could 
ride  on  horseback  ten  or  fifteen  miles  in  a  rough  country,  over 
muddy  roads,  and  appear  in  the  pulpit,  or  rather  on  a  preach- 
ing stand  in  the  woods,  as  neat  and  clean  as  if  he  had  the 
minute  before  come  from  his  toilet.  He  always  rode  a  good 
horse,  and  it  was  believed  he  was  a  good  judge  of  that  animal, 
and  that  he  selected  one  with  such  a  movement  as  would  not 

among  the  elders  of  the  land.  They  looked  well  to  the  ways  of  their 
households,  and  did  not  eat  the  bread  of  idleness."  Prov.  31.  "  Their 
husbands  were  known  in  the  gates,  when  they  sat  among  the  elders."  In 
illustration  of  this — at  a  meeting  of  Presbytery,  one  of  the  members, 
giving  reasons  for  absence  from  the  last  meeting,  told  them  about  his 
building  a  spring-house  or  smoke-house,  and  some  other  matters  of  a 
similar  character,  which  prevented  his  coming  to  Presbytery.  Where- 
upon Mr.  Power  expressed  his  regret  that  the  brother  should  find,  in 
Buch  domestic  cares,  an  excuse  for  absenting  himself;  and  then  re- 
marked, that  he  himself  had  never  staid  away  from  Presbytery  for  such 
reasons,  and  hoped  he  never  would.  "  No  thanks  to  brother  Power," 
said  Mr.  Porter,  without  rising  from  his  seat,  "for  all  his  bragging 
about  his  punctuality.  We  all  know  what  sort  of  a  wife  he  has  to 
manage  for  him,  at  home." 

We  have  already  stated  that  Mr.  Smith's  family  furnished  wives  for 
four  ministers — Dr.  M'Millan's,  also,  for  three.  Dr.  Power  likewise 
supplied  his  full  quota:  for  besides  the  two  ministers  already  men- 
tioned, the  Hev.  Thomas  Moore  and  the  Rev.  William  Swan  found  their 
partners  in  his  family.  It  was  rather  a  remarkable  incident  in  Dr. 
Power's  domestic  history,  that  he  himself  performed  the  marriage  cere- 
mony ybr  two  of  his  daughters,  standing  with  their  husbands  before  him 
at  the  same  time. 


THE    REV.    JAMES    POWER.  235 

throw  mud  or  dust  on  the  rider.  In  his  conversation  and 
manners  he  was  dignified  and  precise,  seldom,  if  ever,  indulg- 
ing in  anything  like  wit  or  levity.  And  yet  he  was  sociable, 
and  far  from  being  morose  or  censorious. 

His  voice  was  not  loud,  but  remarkably  clear  and  distinct. 
His  enunciation  was  so  perfect  that  the  whole  volume  of  his 
voice  was  used  in  conveying  to  his  hearers  the  words  he  ut- 
tered. When  he  spoke  in  the  open  air,  as  he  frequently  did, 
he  could  be  heard  at  a  great  distance.  You  heard  no  rumb- 
ling and  confused  noise ;  but  clear,  articulate  sounds.  He 
always  preached  without  notes ;  but  from  the  arrangement  of 
his  discourses  and  the  correctness  of  his  language,  it  is  pro- 
bable his  sermons  were  generally  written  and  committed  to 
memory.  In  his  manner  and  style  of  preaching,  he  had 
nothing  of  the  vehemence  ai?d  terror  of  his  cotemporary,  the 
Rev.  John  M'Millan,  nor  of  the  pungent  and  alarming  ad- 
dress of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Smith,  of  Buffalo,  Washington 
County.  His  sermons  were  clear,  methodical,  expressed  in 
words  well  selected,  and  delivered  in  a  pleasing,  rather  than 
a  forcible  and  striking  manner.  To  the  sober  and  judicious 
part  of  the  audience  who  desired  instruction  in  the  doctrines 
and  practical  duties  of  the  gospel,  rather  than  strong  appeals 
to  the  passions,  his  preaching  was  very  acceptable. 

No  remarkable  revival  took  place  under  his  ministry,  if  we 
except  that  of  1802,  which  extended  to  every  Presbyterian 
congregation  west  of  the  mountains  in  Pennsylvania.  Never- 
theless his  ministry  was  successful  in  edifying  Christians, 
instructing  the  young,  and  improving  the  morals  of  the  com- 
munity. Every  year  additions  were  made  to  the  churches 
under  his  care.  To  the  children  and  young  persons  of  his 
charge,  Mr.  Power  paid  particular  attention  ;  and  he  was  very 
successful  in  attaching  them  to  him  personally,  and  in  turn- 
ing their  minds  to  the  subject  of  religion.  He  embraced  every 
suitable  occasion  to  introduce  the  subject  of  religion  ;  and 
especially  when  he  met  a  young  person  alone,  it  is  believed 


236  A    BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH    OF 

he  seldom  failed  to  make  an  affectionate  and  solemn  appeal 
to  the  heart  and  conscience. 

The  wonderful  talent  which  he  possessed  of  remem- 
bering names  and  recognising  persons  to  whom  he  had  been 
once  introduced,  gave  him  a  great  advantage  in  perform- 
ing parochial  duties.  AVhen  he  visited  a  family,  or,  on  any 
occasion,  entered  a  house,  he  was  in  the  habit  of  asking  the 
names  of  the  children  and  domestics.  And  such  was  his 
memory  in  this  respect,  that  afterwards  he  would  call  each 
one  by  name,  and  recollect  the  relative  ages  of  a  numerous 
family.  And  if  any  one  of  the  family  was  absent,  he  never 
failed  to  inquire  for  that  one  by  name.  The  consequence 
was,  that  he  appeared  to  feel,  and  no  doubt  did  feel,  an  inte- 
rest in  each  individual,  and  no  one  thought  himself  overlooked 
or  neglected.  He  departed  this  life  in  1830,  at  an  advanced 
age.  And  it  is  a  remarkable  fact,  that  for  three  or  four 
years  before  his  death,  he  lost  his  memory  and  power  of  recog- 
nising persons  to  such  a  degree  that  he  did  not  know  his  own 
children,  who  resided  in  the  neighborhood,  and  who  frequently 
visited  him.  How  frail  is  man!  The  doctrines  taught  by 
Mr.  Power  were  those  of  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith, 
and  his  mode  of  exhibiting  them  similar  to  that  of  the  Ten- 
nents,  Strain,  Finley,  and  other  distinguished  men  of  that 
day.  It  may  be  remarked,  that  the  people  to  whom  Mr. 
Power  ministered,  were  chiefly  Scotch-Irish,  or  their  descend- 
ents  ;  that  they  were  educated  under  Presbyterian  influence  ; 
were  familiar  with  the  doctrines  of  the  Westminster  Confes- 
sion of  Faith,  and  especially  the  Shorter  Catechism ;  and 
that  they  retained,  in  a  good  degree,  the  religious  customs  of 
their  ancestors.  The  Shorter  Catechism  was  learned  at 
school,  and  it  was  recited  every  Sabbath  evening  at  home  by 
all  the  family,  young  and  old.  The  pastor,  accompanied  by 
an  elder,  visited,  as  he  was  able,  the  families  belonging  to  his 
charge,  prayed  with  them,  and  gave  them  such  instructions 
and  advice  as  the  case  of  each  required.     After  he  had  gone 


THE    REV.    JAMES    POWER.  237 

from  house  to  house  jn  a  particular  district,  he  appointed  a 
general  meeting,  at  which  all  the  families  were  expected  to 
attend;  and  the  heads  of  families,  the  young  people,  the 
children,  in  separate  divisions,  were  examined  as  to  their 
knowledire  of  the  Catechism  and  the  doctrines  therein  tauf:^ht. 
The  children  repeated  the  Catechism,  the  young  people  and 
the  heads  of  families  were  examined  as  to  their  understand- 
ing of  the  doctrines  taught  in  the  Catechism  and  the  Scrip- 
ture proofs.  And  to  prepare  for  this  examination,  Fisher's 
Exposition  of  the  Catechism  was  recommended  and  generally 
used.  The  whole  was  closed  with  an  address  suitable  to  the 
occasion,  and  prayer.  The  discipline  of  the  church  was 
extended  to  all  baptized  persons ;  so  that  if  any  gross  immo- 
rality had  been  committed,  they  were  required  to  make  public 
confession,  and  profess  penitence  for  their  sin  before  they 
were  admitted  to  the  Lord's  table,  or  could  have  their  chil- 
dren baptized.  Mr.  Power  punctually  and  faithfully  conti- 
nued these  customs,  and  the  effects  were  salutary.  Young 
people  were  restrained  from  gross  sins.  Both  old  and  young 
were  excited  to  diligence  in  reading  and  studying  the  sacred 
Scriptures,  and  in  reading  other  books  explaining  the  doc- 
trines and  moral  precepts  of  the  Bible.  And  among  those 
hardy  pioneers  you  would  find  many  much  better  instructed 
in  the  great  truths  of  the  gospel,  although  they  heard  a  ser- 
mon only  once  a  month,  than  among  those  at  the  present 
time  who  listen  to  two  or  three  discourses  every  Sabbath,  and 
perhaps  one  or  more  on  other  days  in  the  week. 

To  appreciate  the  labors  and  self-denial  of  Mr.  Power,  and 
other  ministers  of  the  gospel  who  settled  in  Western  Penn- 
sylvania during  the  Revolutionary  "War,  it  is  necessary  to 
keep  in  mind  the  difiiculties  and  dangers  to  which  they  were 
exposed.  The  journey  over  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles 
of  mountains  was  not,  seventy-five  years  ago,  what  it  now  is. 
There  were  no  Macadamised  roads,  nor  canals,  nor  railroads. 
A  horse-path  over  rocks,  and  precipices,  and  marshes,  was 
the  only  way  of  access  to  what  was  significantly  called  "  the 


238  A    BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH   OF 

Back  Woods."  Nor  could  the  direct  route  through  Cham- 
bersburg  and  Bedford  be  taken  with  safety.  Parties  of  In- 
dians prowled  around  that  road,  and  slaughtered  many  fami- 
lies on  their  way  to  the  West.  On  that  route  there  are  places 
whose  names  to  this  day  indicate  the  barbarous  acts  of  those 
times;  such  as  "the  Burnt  Cabins,"  "Bloody  Run,"  &c.  To 
avoid  the  tomahawk  and  scalping-knife,  the  southern  route, 
through  Hagerstown,  Hancock,  and  Cumberland,  in  Mary- 
land, was  usually  taken,  and  thence,  following  Braddock's 
Road,  over  the  mountains ;  and  even  this  road  was  not  suit- 
able for  wheel-carriages.  At  the  present  time,  a  journey  to 
Missouri  or  Iowa  can  be  performed  in  less  time,  and  without 
half  the  labor  and  danger,  necessary  at  that  time  to  reach 
"the  Back  Woods."  When  the  mountains  were  passed,  ac- 
commoeations  not  very  attractive  were  found.  In  the  whole 
county  of  Westmoreland  there  was  not  a  single  stone,  brick, 
or  frame  house,  for  several  years  after  Mr.  Power  settled  at 
Mount  Pleasant.  All  the  inhabitants  lived  in  log  cabins, 
more  or  less  comfortable,  according  to  the  means  of  the  occu- 
pant. The  difficulty  of  obtaining  articles  necessary  in  car- 
rying on  farming  operations  was  very  great.  Iron,  with  which 
that  country  now  abounds,  had  to  be  carried  on  pack-horses 
over  the  mountains ;  and  salt,  which  now  may  be  purchased 
for  twenty  cents,  could  not  then  be  had  for  less  than  five  dol- 
lars per  bushel.  The  want  of  mills  to  grind  their  bread  was 
also  severely  felt.  In  addition  to  these  difficulties,  the  inha- 
bitants were  not  safe  from  attacks  of  the  Indians.  The  ac- 
commodations for  public  worship  were  as  rude  and  unsightly 
as  the  family  dwellings.  These  good  people  did  not  wait 
until  they  were  able  to  erect  a  stone  or  brick  building,  costing 
from  two  to  twenty  thousand  dollars ;  nor  did  they  send  com- 
missioners to  ask  aid  from  their  wealthier  brethren  east  of  the 
mountains.  They  took  their  axes,  cut  down  trees,  and  erected 
with  their  own  hands  a  log  building,  to  protect  them  from  the 
snow  in  winter  and  the  rain  in  summer.  Except  in  inclement 
weather,  they  worshipped  in  the  open  air,  under  the  shade  of 


THE    REV.    JAMES    POWER.  239 

the  native  trees.  These  primitive  churches,  if  so  tliej  may 
be  called,  were  constructed  entirely  with  the  axe.  No  saw, 
or  plane,  or  even  a  hammer  to  drive  a  nail,  was  used ;  for 
nails,  or  iron  in  any  shape,  were  not  employed.  The  roof 
was  clap-boards,  kept  in  their  places  by  logs  laid  upon  them, 
and  the  doors  were  of  the  same  kind,  fastened  together  with 
wooden  pins.  The  windows  were  small  openings  cut  in  adja- 
cent logs,  and  c/Iazedmth.  paper  or  white  linen  oiled  with  hog's 
lard  or  bear's  grease.  The  seats  were  logs,  cleft  iin  the  middle 
and  raised  a  suitable  height  on  blocks.  Such  was  the  original 
house  in  which  Dr.  Power  preached  in  Sewickly  congregation. 
It  stood  about  one  mile  and  a  half  north  of  the  present  place 
of  public  worship,  on  the  road  leading  from  Markle's  mill, 
towards  Pittsburg,  about  half-way  between  the  Big  and  the 
Little  Sewicklies. 

Dr.  Power  had  eight  daughters  and  no  sons.  They  were 
remarkably  intelligent  and  active  women.  Three  of  them 
became  the  wives  of  Presbyterian  ministers,  and  the  others 
married  respectable  men  in  Westmoreland  and  Washington 
Counties.  Dr.  Power  resided  on  a  farm  at  Mount  Pleasant ; 
and,  leaving  the  management  of  the  farm  and  other  domestic 
concerns  to  his  wife  and  daughters,  he  devoted  his  whole  time 
to  the  duties  of  his  sacred  office.  On  account  of  the  peculiar 
circumstances  of  the  country,  Dr.  Power  received  a  very  small 
pittance  for  his  services ;  yet  his  farm  was  managed  so  judi- 
ciously, that  within  a  few  years  after  their  removal  to  the 
West,  his  family  lived  in  a  very  comfortable  and  respectable 
manner. 

Few  men  have  lived  so  blameless  and  exemplary  a  life  as 
Dr.  Power.  He  had  few,  if  any,  peculiarities  of  character. 
Plain,  simple,  and  polished  in  his  manners,  he  made  himself 
agreeable  and  respected  by  all  classes  of  society,  and  closed 
his  long  life  without  a  spot  on  his  moral  and  Christian  cha- 
racter. 

It  may  not  be  deemed  irrelevant  to  append,  as  a  sequel  to 
our  Biographical  Sketch  of  Dr.  Power,  some  account  of  a 


240  A   BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH    OF 

tragical  scene  which  occurred  within  the  field  of  his  labors, 
during  the  earlier  period  of  his  "Western  life.  ^Ve  refer  to 
the  Burning  of  Rannas-toicn  by  the  savages,  and  the  thrill- 
ing tragedies  connected  with  it.  Most  of  our  early  ministers 
and  their  families  experienced  no  ordinary  suffering  and 
anxiety  from  these  human  demons,  ever  thirsting  for  the 
white  man's  blood.  Messrs.  Dod,  M'Millan  and  Smith  had 
each  their  trials  in  this  way.  But,  perhaps,  none  of  them 
ever  spent  a  day  of  greater  anxiety  than  did  James  Power, 
on  the  loth  of  July,  1782.  He  had  now  been  nearly  eight 
years  residing,  with  his  family,  west  of  the  mountains.  His 
field  was,  at  first,  widely  extended  through  Fayette  and 
"Westmoreland  Counties.  He  had  removed,  and  settled  in 
the  latter  County.  One  of  his  regular  places  of  supply  was 
Unity,  a  congregation  some  six  or  seven  miles  north-east  of 
the  present  to"«Ti  of  Greensburg,  not  then,  however,  in  ex- 
istence. ZS^ot  more  than  three  or  four  miles  from  Unity  was 
the  seat  of  justice  for  all  the  "West,  that  acknowledged  the 
jurisdiction  of  Pennsylvania,  Hanna's-town.  Around  it,  and 
through  the  whole  settlement,  were  living  many  of  ^Ir.  Power's 
people.  He  had  been  in  its  vicinity  on  the  Sabbath  pre- 
vious. The  story  we  have  now  to  relate  was  given  to  the 
public  some  years  ago,  but  has  been  heard,  perhaps,  by  few 
of  our  readers.  Mr.  Power  was  near  the  scene  at  the  very 
time.  It  will  illustrate  some  of  the  trials  to  which  our  first 
ministers  and  their  families  were  exposed. 

During  the  whole  time  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  for 
some  time  after  it  ceased,  as  we  are  informed  by  Mr.  Finley 
in  the  History  of  the  Western  Insurrection,  the  country  was 
cruelly  wasted  by  perpetual  savage  depredations.  The  fron- 
tier was  equally  exposed  on  all  sides  round  the  whole  extent 
of  the  country,  except,  perhaps,  on  the  east  a  few  miles  near 
Youghiogeny  river.  The  whole  of  what  is  now  Westmoreland 
and  Allegheny  Counties,  except  a  few  townships,  was  either 
actually  laid  waste,  or  the  inhabitants  obliged  to  shelter  them- 
selves in  forts.     The  then  county-town  (Hanna's-town,)  was 


THE    REV.    JAMES    PO\rER.  241 

attacked  in  the  time  of  court,  and  though  the  records  were 
preserved,  yet  the  town,  with  most  of  the  property  it  con- 
tained, was  burnt :  and  a  number  were  also  killed,  or  taken 
prisoners.  The  following,  from  the  Greensburg  Ai-gus,  of 
ISoG,  detailing  the  particulars  of  that  event,  will  be  read 
with  interest  by  those  who  have  not  heretofore  met  with 
it:— 

"About  three  miles  from  Greensburg,  on  the  old  road  to 
New  Alexandria,  there  stand  two  modern-built  log  tenements, 
to  one  of  which  a  sign-post  and  a  sign  is  appended,  giving 
due  notice  that  at  the  '  Seven  Yellow  Stars'  the  wayfai-er  may 
partake  of  the  good  things  of  this  world.  Between  the  tavern 
and  the  Indian  gallows-hill  on  the  west,  once  stood  Hanna's- 
town,  the  first  place  west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains  where 
justice  was  dispensed,  according  to  the  leading  forms,  by  the 
white  man.  The  county  of  Westmoreland  was  established  by 
the  provincial  legislature  on  the  '20th  of  February,  1773,  and 
the  courts  directed  to  be  held  at  Hanna's-town.  It  consisted 
of  about  thirty  habitations,  some  of  them  cabins,  but  most  of 
them  aspiring  to  the  name  of  houses,  having  two  stories  of 
hewed  logs.  There  were  a  wooden  court-boose  and  a  jail  of 
the  like  construction ;  a  fort  stockaded  with  logs  completed 
the  civil  and  military  arrangements  of  the  town.  The  first 
prothonotary  and  clerk  of  the  courts  was  Arthur  St.  Clair, 
Esq.,  afterwards  general  in  the  revolutionary  array.  Robert 
Hanna,  Esq.,  was  the  first  presiding  justice  in  the  courts  ; 
and  the  first  court  of  common  pleas  was  hehl  in  April,  1773. 
Thomas  Smith,  Esq.,  afterwards  one  of  the  judges  on  the 
supreme  bench,  (made  his  debut  in  the  profession  which  he 
afterwards  illustrated  and  adorned,)  brought  quarterly  from 
the  east  the  most  abstruse  learning,  to  puzzle  the  backwoods 
lawyers ;  and  it  was  here  that  Hugh  Henry  Breckcnridge, 
afterwards  also  a  judge  on  the  supreme  bench,  made  his  debut 
in  the  profession  which  he  afterwards  contributed  to  elevate 
by  his  genius  and  learning. 

**  The  road  first  opened  to  Fort  Pitt  by  Gen.  Forbes  and 
1(3 


242  A   BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH    OF 

his  army,  passed  through  the  tov.n.  The  periodical  return 
of  the  court  brought  together  a  hardy,  adventurous,  frank, 
and  open-hearted  set  of  men  from  the  lledstone,  the  George's 
creek,  the  Youghiogeny,  the  Monongahela,  and  the  Catfish 
settlements,  as  well  as  from  the  region  now  in  its  circum- 
scribed limits,  still  called  '  Old  Westmoreland.'  It  may  well 
be  supposed  that,  on  such  occasions,  there  was  many  an  up- 
roarious merry-making.  Such  men,  when  they  occasionally 
met  at  court,  met  joyously.  But  the  plough  has  long  since 
gone  over  the  place  of  merry-making,  and  no  log  or  mound 
of  earth  remains  to  tell  where  Justice  held  her  scales. 

''  On  the  13th  of  July,  1782,  a  party  of  the  townsfolk  went 
to  0' Conner's  fields,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  north  of  the  vil- 
lage, to  cut  the  harvest  of  Michael  Hufi"nagle. 

"  The  summer  of  '82  was  a  sorrowful  one  to  the  frontier 
inhabitants.  The  blood  of  many  a  family  had  sprinkled  their 
own  fields.  The  frontier,  northwest  of  the  town,  was  almost 
deserted ;  the  inhabitants  had  fled  for  safety  and  repose  to- 
wards the  Sewickly  settlement.  At  this  very  time,  there 
were  a  number  of  families  at  Miller's  station,  about  two  miles 
south  of  the  town.  There  was,  therefore,  little  impediment 
to  the  Indians,  either  by  way  of  resistance,  or  even  of  giving 
warning  of  their  approach.  When  the  reapers  had  cut  down 
one  field,  one  of  the  number  who  had  crossed  to  the  side  next 
to  the  woods,  returned  in  great  alarm,  and  reported  that  he 
had  seen  a  number  of  Indians  approaching.  The  whole 
reaping  party  ran  for  the  town,  each  one  intent  upon  his  own 
safety.  The  scene  which  then  presented  itself  may  more 
readily  be  conceived  than  described.  Fathers  asking  for 
their  wives  and  children,  and  children  calling  upon  their 
parents  and  friends,  and  all  hurrying  in  a  state  of  consterna- 
tion to  the  fort.  Some  criminals  were  confined  in  jail,  the 
doors  of  which  were  thrown  open.  After  some  time  it  was 
proposed  that  some  person  should  reconnoitre,  and  relieve 
them  from  uncertainty.  Four  young  men,  David  Shaw, 
James  Brison,  and  two  others,  with  their  rifles,  started   on 


THE    REV.    JAMES    POWER.  243 

foot  through  the  highlands,  between  that  and  Crabtree  creek, 
pursuing  a  direct  course  towards  O'Connor's  fields ;   whilst 

Captain  J ,  who  happened  to  be  in  town,  pursued  a  more 

circuitous  route  on  horseback. 

"  The  captain  was  the  first  to  arrive  at  the  fields,  and  his 
eye  was  not  long  in  doubt ;  for  the  whole  force  of  the  savages 
was  then  mustered.  He  turned  his  horse  to  fly,  but  was 
observed  and  pursued.  When  he  had  proceeded  a  short  dis- 
tance, he  met  the  four  on  foot — told  them  to  fly  for  their 
lives — that  the  savages  were  coming  in  great  force — that  he 
would  take  a  circuitous  route  and  alarm  the  settlements.  He 
went  to  Love's,  where  Frederick  Beaver  now  lives,  about  a 
mile  and  a  quarter  east  of  the  town  ;  and  assisted  the  family 
to  fly,  taking  Mrs.  Love  on  the  horse  behind  him.  The  four 
made  all  speed  for  the  town,  but  the  foremost  Indians  obtained 
sight  of  them,  and  gave  them  hot  pursuit.  By  the  time  they 
had  reached  the  Crabtree  creek,  they  could  hear  the  distinct 
footfalls  of  their  pursuers,  and  see  the  sunbeams  glistening 
through  the  foliage  upon  their  naked  skins.  When,  however, 
they  got  into  the  mouth  of  the  ravine  that  led  up  from  the 
creek  to  the  town,  they  felt  almost  secure.  The  Indians, 
who  knew  nothing  of  the  previous  alarm  given  to  the  town, 
and  supposed  that  they  would  take  it  by  surprise,  did  not 
fire,  lest  that  might  give  notice  of  their  approach :  this  saved 
the  lives  of  David  Shaw^  and  his  companions.  When  they 
got  to  the  top  of  the  hill,  the  strong  instinct  of  nature  im- 
pelled Shaw  to  go  first  into  the  town,  and  see  whether  his 
kindred  had  gone  into  the  fort,  before  he  entered  it  himself. 
As  he  reached  his  father's  threshold  and  saw  all  within  deso- 
late, he  turned  and  saw  the  savages  with  their  tufts  of  hair 
flying  in  the  wind,  and  their  brandished  tomahawks ;  for  they 
had  emerged  into  the  open  space  around  the  town,  and  com- 
menced the  war-whoop.  He  resolved  to  make  one  of  them 
give  his  death-halloo,  and  raising  his  rifle  to  his  eye,  his  bullet 
whizzed  true ;  for  the  stout  savage,  at  whom  he  aimed, 
bounded  into  the  air  and  fell  upon  his  face.     Then,  with  the 


244  A  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH   OF 

speed  of  an  arrow,  he  fled  for  the  fort,  which  he  entered  in 
safety.  The  Indians  were  exasperated  when  they  found  the 
town  deserted  ;  and  after  piUaging  the  houses,  they  set  them 
on  fire."^' 

"Although  a  considerable  part  of  the  town  was  within 
rifle-range  of  the  fort,  the  whites  did  hut  little  execution, 
being  more  intent  on  their  own  safety  than  solicitious  about 
destroying  the  enemy.  One  savage,  who  had  put  on  the 
military  coat  of  one  of  the  inhabitants,  paraded  himself  so 
ostentatiously  that  he  was  shot  down.  Except  this  one,  and 
the  one  laid  low  by  Shaw,  there  was  no  evidence  of  any  other 
execution  but  some  bones  found  among  the  ashes  of  one  of 
the  houses,  where  they,  it  was  supposed,  burnt  those  that 
were  killed.  There  were  not  more  than  14  or  15  rifles  in 
the  fort ;  and  a  company  having  marched  from  the  town  some 
time  before  in  Lochley's  ill-fated  campaign,  many  of  the  most 
efficient  men  were  absent ;  not  more  than  20  or  30  remained. 
A  maiden,  Jennet  Shaw,  was  killed  in  the  fort ;  a  child  having 
run  opposite  the  gate,  in  which  there  were  some  apertures, 
through  which  a  bullet  from  the  Indians  occasionally  whistled, 
she  followed  it,  and  as  she  stooped  to  pick  it  up,  a  bullet  en- 
tered her  bosom ;  she  thus  fell  a  victim  to  the  kindness  of 
her  heart.  The  savages,  with  their  wild  yells  and  hideous 
gesticulations,  exulted  as  the  flames  spread,  and  looked  like 
demoniacs  rejoicing  over  the  lost  hopes  of  mortals. 

"  Soon  after  the  arrival  of  the  marauders  a  large  party  of 

*  Dr.  Power  had  left  home  that  morning  to  attend  a  meeting,  or  an 
appointment  of  some  kind,  in  the  direction  of  Hanna's-town.  The  news 
of  the  invasion  and  attack  of  the  Indians,  and  the  burning  of  the  town, 
was  received  by  Mrs.  Power  some  hours  before  the  return  of  her  hus- 
band. They  were  hours  to  her  of  intense  agony,  as  she  knew  not  but 
that  he  was  murdered  and  scalped  by  the  savages.  Mrs.  Schraeder,  a 
near  neighbor,  was  the  only  person  with  her,  besides  her  four  or  five 
little  daughters.  This  lady,  lately  deceased  at  the  age  of  92,  told  us 
she  never  witnessed  more  distress  in  a  family,  than  she  that  day  wit- 
nessed. Such  were  some  of  the  trials  of  our  early  ministers  and  their 
wives. 


THE    KEV.    JAMES    POWER.  245 

them  were  observed  to  break  off  by  what  seemed  concerted 
si'^nals,  and  march  towards  Miller's  station.  At  that  place, 
there  had  been  a  wedding  the  day  before.  Love  is  a  delicate 
plant,  but  will  take  root  in  the  midst  of  perils,  in  gentle 
bosoms.  A  young  couple,  fugitives  from  the  frontier,  fell  in 
love,  and  were  married.    Among  those  who  visited  the  bridal 

festivity  were  Mrs.  H ,  and  her  two  beautiful  daughters, 

from  the  town.     John  Brownlee,  (who  then  owned  what  is 
now  the  fine -farm  of  Frederick  J.  Cope),  and  his  family,  were 
also  there.    This  individual  was  well  known  in  frontier  forage 
and  scouting  parties.     His  courage,  activity,  generosity,  and 
manly  form,  won  for  him,  among  his  associates,  as  they  win 
everywhere,  confidence  and  attachment.    Many  of  the  Indians 
were  acquainted  with  his  character ;  some  of  them,  probably, 
had  seen  his  person.    There  were,  in  addition  to  the  mansion, 
a  number  of  cabins  rudely  constructed,  in  which  those  fami- 
lies who  had  been  driven  from  their  homes  resided.     The 
station  was  generally  called  Miller's  town.     The  bridal  party 
were  enjoying  themselves  in  the  principal  mansion,  without 
the  least  shadow  of  approaching  danger.     Some  men  were 
mowing  in  the  meadow — people  in  the  cabins  were  variously 
occupied  —  when   suddenly  the  war-whoop,  like   a  clap   of 
thunder  from  a  cloudless  sky,  broke  upon  their  astonished 
ears.     The  people  in  the  cabins  and  those  in  the  meadows, 
mostly  made  their  escape.     One  incident  always  excites  emo- 
tions in  my  bosom,  when  I  have  heard  it  related.    Many  who 
fled  took  an  eastern  course,  over  the  long  steep  hills  which 
ascend  towards  Peter  George's  farm.     One  man  was  carrying 
his  child,  and  assisting  his  mother  in  the  flight,  and  when 
they  got  towards  the  top  of  the  hill,  the  mother  exclaimed 
they  would  be  murdered  ;  that  the  savages  were  gaining  space 
upon  them.     The  son  and  father  put  down  his  child  that  he 
might  the  more  effectually  assist  his  mother.     Let  those  dis- 
posed to  condemn  keep  silence,  until  the  same  struggle  of 
nature  takes  place  in  their  own  bosoms.    Perhaps  he  thought 
the  savages  would  be  more  apt   to  spare  the  innocence  of 


246  A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH    OF 

infancy  than  the  weakness  of  age.  But  most  likely  it  was 
the  instinct  of  feeling,  and  even  a  brave  man  had  hardly 
time  to  think  under  such  circumstances.  At  all  events  Pro- 
vidence seemed  to  smile  on  the  act ;  for  at  the  dawn  of  the 
.next  morning,  when  the  father  returned  to  the  cabin,  he 
found  his  little  innocent  curled  upon  his  bed,  sound  asleep, 
the  only  human  thing  left  amidst  the  desolation.  Let  fathers 
appreciate  his  feelings;  whether  the  Indians  had  found  the 
child  and  took  compassion  on  it,  and  carried  it  back,  or 
whether  the  little  creature  had  been  unmolested,  and  when  it 
became  tired  of  its  solitude,  had  wandered  home  through 
brush  and  over  briers,  will  never  be  known.  The  latter 
supposition  would  seem  most  probable  from  its  being  found 
in  its  own  cabin  and  on  its  own  bed.  At  the  principal  man- 
sion the  party  were  so  agitated  by  the  cries  of  women  and 
children,  mingling  with  the  yell  of  the  savage,  that  all  were 
for  a  moment  irresolute ;  and  that  moment  sealed  their  fate. 
One  young  man  of  powerful  frame  grasped  a  child  near  him, 
which  happened  to  be  Brownlee's,  and  effected  his  escape. 
He  was  pursued  by  three  or  four  savages.  But  his  strength 
enabled  him  to  gain  slightly  upon  his  followers;  when  he 
came  to  a  rye  field,  and  taking  the  advantage  of  a  thick 
copse,  Avhich,  by  a  sudden  turn,  intervened  between  him  and 
them,  he  got  on  the  fence  and  leaped  far  into  the  rye,  where 
he  lay  down  with  the  child.  He  heard  the  quick  tread  of  the 
savages  as  they  passed,  and  their  slower  steps  as  they  returned, 
muttering  their  guttural  disappointment.  That  man  lived  to 
an  honored  old  age,  but  is  now  no  more. 

"  Brownlee  made  his  way  to  the  door,  having  seized  a  rifle  ; 
he  saw,  however,  that  it  was  a  desperate  game,  but  made  a 
rush  at  some  Indians  who  were  entering  the  gate.  The  shrill, 
clear  voice  of  his  wife,  "Jack,  will  you  leave  me?"  instantly 
recalled  him,  and  he  sat  down  beside  her  at  the  door,  yielding 
himself  a  willing  victim.  The  party  were  made  prisoners, 
including  the  bridegroom  and  the  bride,  and  several  of  the 
family  of  Miller.     At  this  point  of  time,  Captain  J was 


THE    REV.    JAMES    POWER.  247 

seen  coming  up  the  lane  in  full  gallop.  The  Indians  were 
certain  of  their  prey,  and  the  prisoners  were  dismayed  at  his 
rashness.  Fortunately  he  noticed  the  peril  in  which  he  was 
placed,  in  time  to  save  himself.  Eagerly  bent  upon  givin or 
warning  to  the  people,  his  mind  was  so  engrossed  with  that 
idea  that  he  did  not  see  the  enemy  until  he  was  within  full 
gunshot.  When  he  did  see  them  and  turned  to  fly,  several 
bullets  whistled  by  him  —  one  of  which  cut  his  bridle  rein; 
but  he  escaped.  When  those  of  the  marauders,  who  had 
pursued  the  fugitives,  returned,  and  when  they  had  safely 
secured  their  prisoners,  and  loaded  them  with  plunder,  they 
commenced  their  retreat. 

"Heavy  were  the  hearts  of  the  women  and  maidens,  as 
they  were  led  into  captivity.  Who  can  tell  the  bitterness  of 
their  sorrow?  They  looked,  as  they  thought,  for  the  last 
time  upon  the  dear  fields  of  their  country  and  of  civilized 
life.  They  thought  of  their  fathers,  their  husbands,  their 
brothers ;  and  as  their  eyes  streamed  with  tears,  the  cruelty 
and  uncertainty  which  hung  over  their  fate,  as  prisoners  of 
savages,  overwhelmed  them  with  despair.  They  had  proceeded 
about  half  a  mile,  and  four  or  five  Indians  near  the  group  of 
prisoners  in  which  was  Brownlee,  were  observed  to  exchange 
rapid  sentences  among  each  other,  and  look  earnestly  at  him. 
Some  of  the  prisoners  had  named  him ;  and  whether  it  was 
from  that  circumstance,  or  because  some  of  the  Indians  had 
recognised  his  person,  it  was  evident  that  he  was  a  doomed 
man.  He  stooped  slightly  to  adjust  his  child  on  his  back, 
which  he  carried  in  addition  to  the  luggage  which  they  had 
put  on  him ;  and  as  he  did  so,  one  of  the  Indians  who  had 
looked  so  earnestly  at  him,  stepped  to  him  hastily  and  buried 
a  tomahawk  in  his  head.  When  he  fell,  the  child  was  quickly 
dispatched  by  the  same  individual.  One  of  the  women  cap- 
tives screamed  at  this  butchery,  and  the  same  bloody  instru- 
ment and  ferocious  hand  immediately  ended  her  agony  of 
spirit.  God  tempers  the  wind  to  the  shorn  lamb,  and  he 
enabled  Mrs.  Brownlee  to  bear  that  scene  in  speechless  agony 


248  A  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH    OF 

and  woe.  Their  bodies  were  found  next  day  by  the  settlers, 
and  buried  where  they  fell.  The  spot  is  marked  to  this  day 
in  Michling's  field.  As  the  shades  of  evening  began  to  fall, 
the  marauders  met  again  on  the  plains  of  Hanna's-town. 
They  retired  into  the  low  grounds  about  the  Crabtreee  creek, 
and  there  regaled  themselves  on  v*^hat  they  had  stolen.  It 
was  their  intention  to  attack  the  fort  the  next  morning  before 
the  dawn  of  day. 

"At  nightfall,  thirty  yeomen,  good  and  true,  had  assem- 
bled at  George's  farm,  not  far  from  Miller's,  determined  to 
give  that  night  what  succor  they  could  to  the  people  in  the 
fort.  They  set  off  for  the  town,  each  with  his  trusty  rifle, 
some  on  horseback,  and  some  on  foot.  As  soon  as  they  came 
near  the  fort,  the  greatest  caution  and  circumspection  was 
observed.  Experienced  woodsmen  soon  ascertained  that  the 
enemy  was  in  the  Crabtree  bottom,  and  that  they  might  enter 
the  fort.  Accordingly,  they  all  marched  to  the  gate,  and 
were  most  joyfully  welcomed  by  those  within.  After  some 
consultation,  it  was  the  general  opinion  that  the  enemy  in- 
tended to  make  an  attack  the  next  morning;  and,  as  there 
were  but  about  45  rifles  in  the  fort,  and  about  55  or  60  men, 
the  contest  was  considered  extremely  doubtful,  considering 
the  great  superiority  of  numbers  on  the  part  of  the  savages. 
It  became,  therefore,  a  matter  of  the  first  importance,  to  im- 
press the  enemy  with  the  belief  that  large  reinforcements 
were  arriving.  For  that  purpose,  the  horses  were  mounted 
by  active  men,  and  brought  full  trot  over  the  bridge  of  plank 
that  was  across  the  ditch  which  surrounded  the  stockading. 
This  was  frequently  repeated.  Two  old  drums  were  found  in 
the  fort,  which  were  new  braced,  and  music  on  the  fife  and 
drum  was  kept  occasionally  going  during  the  night.  While, 
marching  and  countermarching,  the  bridge  was  frequently 
crossed  on  foot  by  the  whole  garrison.  These  measures  had 
the  desired  efi'ect.  The  military  music  from  the  fort,  the 
trampling  of  the  horses,  and  the  marching  over  the  bridge, 
were  borne  on  the  silence  of  the  night  over  the  low  lands  of 


THE    llEV.    JAMES    POWER.  249 

the  Crabtrce :  and  the  sounds  carried  terror  into  the  bosoms 
of  the  cowardly  savages.  They  feared  the  retribution  which 
they  deserved,  and  fled  shortly  after  midnight  in  their  stealthy 
and  wolf-like  habits.  Three  hundred  Indians,  and  about  sixty 
white  savages,  in  the  shape  of  refugees,  as  they  TS'ere  then 
called,  crossed  the  Crabtree  that  day,  with  the  intention  of 
destroying  Ilanna's-town  and  Miller's  station.  The  next  day, 
a  number  of  the  whites  pursued  the  trail  as  far  as  the  Kiske- 
minetas,  without  being  able  to  overtake  them. 

"  The  little  community,  which  had  now  no  homes  but  what 
the  fort  supplied,  looked  out  on  the  ruins  of  the  town  with  the 
deepest  sorrow.  It  had  been  to  them  the  scene  of  heartfelt 
joys  —  embracing  the  intensity  and  tenderness  of  all  which 
renders  the  domestic  hearth  and  family  altar  sacred.  By 
degrees,  they  all  sought  themselves  places,  where  they  might, 
like  Noah's  dove,  find  rest  for  the  soles  of  their  feet.  The 
lots  of  the  town,  either  by  sale  or  abandonment,  became 
merged  in  the  adjoining  farm ;  and  the  labors  of  the  husband- 
men soon  efi'aced  what  time  might  have  spared.  Many  a  tall 
harvest  have  I  seen  growing  upon  the  ground;  but  never  did 
I  look  upon  its  waving  luxuriance,  without  thinking  of  the 
severe  trials,  and  the  patient  fortitude,  and  the  high  courage 
which  characterised  the  early  settlers. 

"The  prisoners  were  surrendered  by  the  Indians  to  the 
British  in  Canada.     The  beauty  and  misfortune  of  the  Misses 

II attracted    attention.     An  English   officer  —  perhaps 

moved  by  beauty  in  distress,  to  love  her  for  the  dangers  she 
had  passed  —  wooed  and  won  the  fair  and  gentle  Marian. 
After  the  peace  of  '83,  the  rest  of  the  captives  were  delivered 
up,  and  returned  to  their  country." 

We  have  never  understood  what  proportion  of  those  en- 
gaged in  the  scenes  above  described  were  of  Dr.  Power's 
people.  It  is  certain,  that  many  of  them  were  his  constant 
hearers  when  he  preached  in  that  part  of  his  charge. 

So  far  as  we  have  learned,  this  was  the  greatest,  but  not 
the  last  of  the  trials  to  which  Dr.  Power  and  his  family  and 


250  TEMPERANCE   IN   THOSE   TIMES. 

people  were  subjected  from  these  marauders  of  the  forest. 
We  have  recently  learned  from  one  who  had  it  from  the  lips 
of  Dr.  Power  himself,  that  he  on  that  day  was  at  Unity 
meeting-house  ;  it  being  their  fast-day  previous  to  an  intended 
communion  on  the  ensuing  Sabbath  —  that  most  of  the  men, 
as  was  the  common  custom,  were  there  with  their  guns  —  that 
tidings  came,  either  before  or  soon  after  the  service  com- 
menced, of  the  attack  and  burning  of  Ilanna's-town  by  the 
savages,  and  that  the  congregation  immediately  dispersed, — 
the  communion  was  necessarily  deferred.  Of  this  circum- 
stance, about  the  fast-day  meeting  at  Unity,  Mrs.  Schroeder 
was  not,  we  suppose,  informed.  She  only  knew  that  Dr. 
Power  had  gone  in  that  direction  to  attend  some  meeting. 
Being  herself  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  it  is  not 
strange  that  she  did  not  know  more  particularly  the  occasion 
of  Dr.  Power's  absence. 


CHAPTER  YII. 

TEMPERANCE    IN    THE    EARLY    DAYS   OF    PRESBYTERIANISM. 

In  regard  to  the  subject  of  temperance,  our  ministers  and 
people  partook  of  the  common  delusion,  then  universally  pre- 
valent, that  total  abstinence  was  not  only  unnecessary,  but 
unwise.  They  regarded  the  moderate  use  of  ardent  spirits 
as  highly  salutary. 

"By  a  mistaken  notion  in  physiology,"  says  Mr.  Renwick, 
in  his  Life  of  Hamilton,  "  it  had  become  an  opinion  almost 
universal,  that,  in  the  climate  of  a  great  portion  of  the  United 
States,  ardent  spirit  was  a  necessary  beverage,  alone,  or  di- 
luted with  water.  Hence,  almost  every  adult  in  the  L^nited 
States  was  a  consumer  of  it ;  and  although,  in  most  cases,  in 


TEMPERANCE   IX   THOSE   TIMES.  251 

great  moderation,  there  were  still  multitudes' who,  under  the 
popular  error,  had  no  sense  of  shame  in  indulging  in  alcoholic 
liquids  to  excess.  The  trade  in  this  ai-ticle  was  then  an  im- 
portant branch  of  commerce,  and  its  manufacture  one  of  the 
most  extensive  branches  of  national  industry." 

The  people  through  the  Western  counties — unable  to  raise 
the  means  of  paying  their  taxes  by  the  sale  of  their  grain, 
which  would  not  bear  portage,  east  of  the  mountains,  on  horse- 
back, and  which  could  not  be  carried  to  New  Orleans,  but  w4th 
great  danger  and  uncertainty — were  driven,  almost  by  neces- 
sity, to  reduce  the  products  of  their  farms  to  portable  size,  by 
distillation.  They  were  compelled  to  become  distillers ;  and 
a  distillery  was  erected  on  almost  every  third  or  fourth  farm 
through  "Westmoreland,  Washington  and  Fayette  Counties. 
The  people  used  it  themselves  freely,  morning,  noon  and 
night,  especially  in  harvest,  and  on  all  occasions  when  they 
were  exposed  to  severe  toil,  or  the  inclemency  of  the  weather. 
Our  ministers  and  elders  used  it,  as  well  as  their  people.  Yet 
they  were  not  intemperate.  No  instance  ever  occurred,  in 
the  history  of  the  Old  Redstone  Presbytery,  in  which  either 
a  minister  or  elder  ever  needed  to  be  subjected  to  the  slightest 
act  of  discipline,  on  this  account.  And  there  is  no  instance 
on  record,  in  their  minutes,  of  any  case  originating  in  this 
cause  coming  before  them,  by  complaint  or  appeal  from  ses- 
sions. 

When  we  remember  the  prevalence  of  the  custom  of  using 
whiskey  or  brandy — when  we  learn  that  it  was  the  universal 
custom,  whenever  a  friend  or  neighbor  called,  to  set  out  the 
bottle,  as  a  common  act  of  civility — when  we  call  to  mind  the 
frequent  exposures  of  the  early  settlers  to  the  violence  of  the 
elements — when  we  remejnbcr  how  many  causes  of  anxiety 
and  sorrow  pressed  upon  them  continually,  tempting  them 
with  the  delusive  promise  of  recruited  strength,  or  of  relief 
from  distress,  to  resort  to  the  consolations,  or  the  delights,  of 
the  bottle — when  it  is  borne  in  mind  that  liquor  was  freely 
used  as  a  medicine,  in  various  forms,  and  recommended  by 


252  TEMPERANCE    IN   THOSE   TIMES. 

physicians — when  we  consider  that,  in  those  days,  liquor  was 
freely  used  at  all  meetings  of  every  kind,  that  a  man  could 
not  be  horn,  married,  or  buried,  without  the  presence  and 
free  use  of  whiskey — it  is  really  wonderful  that  intemperance 
did  not  come  in  like  a  flood  upon  the  church,  and  the  world. 
Yet  it  is  really  due  to  our  fathers — both  ministers,  elders  and 
people — to  testify,  upon  the  most  credible  evidence,  that  in- 
temperance was  not  the  vice  of  those  times,  at  least  among 
our  peo2)le.  "\Ye  once  thought  otherwise.  But  a  more  careful 
examination  of  the  subject  has  satisfied  us  that  this  was  not 
the  case.  The  Whishey  Insurrection,  it  is  true,  occurred  in 
the  bounds  of  the  Redstone  Presbytery.  But,  in  the  first 
place,  this  arose  from  no  special  fondness  for  the  intemperate 
use  of  the  article.  It  was  simply  the  result  of  a  delusion 
respecting  their  rights,  and  an  impression  that  they  were 
wrongfully  and  oppressively  taxed  in  the  very  article  which 
alone  they  could  turn  to  account  in  trade  and  commerce,  and 
thereby  secure  to  themselves  and  families  the  vei-y  necessaries 
of  life.  They  regarded  the  excise  tax  as  odious  and  oppres- 
sive. They  neither  loved  nor  used  whiskey  more  than  the 
people  of  other  sections  of  the  United  States.  But,  in  the 
second  place,  very  few  of  our  people  joined  in  that  unhappy 
movement ;  and  all  our  ministers  opposed  it  strenuously  and 
successfully  among  their  people.  One  of  the  historians  of 
that  Insurrection,  Mr.  Findley,  states,  in  reference  to  the 
meeting  held  at  Couche's  Fort,  "  While  they  were  deliberating 
what  was  to  be  done,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clarke,  a  venerable  and 
very  old  clergyman,  expostulated  with  them  on  the  impro- 
priety of  the  enterprise,  and  used  his  utmost  endeavors  to 
dissuade  them  from  it." 

Judge  Brackenridge  says,  "  Great  pains  were  taken — par- 
ticularly by  the  clergy,  in  various  congregations.  The  Rev. 
Samuel  Porter,  and  the  Rev.  John  M'Millan,  and  others,  had, 
from  the  first,  borne  a  decided  testimony  against  the  forcible 
opposition  to  the  laws.  Previous  to  the  day  of  giving  the  test 
of  submission,  Mr.  M'Millan,   having  appointed  a  day  for 


WHISKEY   INSURRECTION.  253 

giving  the  sacrament  of  bread  and  wine,  adjourned  the  cele- 
bration, until  it  could  be  known  who  would  submit — meaning 
to  exclude  those  from  the  ordinance  who  should  remain  obsti- 
nate, and  refuse  this  declaration  of  fidelity.  He  attended 
himself  on  the  day  of  submission,  and  used  his  immediate  in- 
fluence." 

Some  account  of  that  extraordinary  event  may,  with  pro- 
priety, find  a  place  in  this  Work.  For  though  the  actual  de- 
nouement of  the  "  Whiskey  Insurrection"  did  not  take  place 
till  the  year  after  the  Old  Presbytery  of  Redstone  ceased  to 
exist — ytt  its  causes,  and  the  circumstances  which  led  to  that 
unfortunate  issue,  are  to  be  found  scattered  through,  several 
previous  years :  and  their  bearing  upon  the  interests  of  re- 
ligion, and  of  the  church,  was  not  inconsiderable. 

An  intelligent  survey  of  the  moral  and  religious  state  of 
the  country  during  the  last  years  of  the  Presbytery,  cannot 
be  taken  without  some  acquaintance  with  that  singular  chap- 
ter in  the  history  of  Western  Pennsylvania.  Soon  after  the 
exciting  occurrences  of  '94,  Mr.  Findley,  long  a  member  of 
Congress  from  Western  Pennsylvania,  wrote  and  published 
his  account  of  them,  entitled  "  The  History  of  the  Insurrec- 
tion." This  work  was  soon  followed  by  another  from  the  pen 
of  Judge  H.  Brackenridge,  entitled  "  Incidents  of  the  Western 
Insurrection."  These  works,  taken  together,  furnish  a  tole- 
rably complete  account,  yet  have  been  charged  with  much 
partiality  and  injustice  in  particular  cases.  Judge  Lobingier 
has  also  given  to  the  public  his  reminiscences  and  views  of 
that  exciting  period,  in  which  important  corrections  of  the 
errors  or  partial  statements  of  Messrs.  Findley  and  Bracken- 
ridge may  be  found.  Dr.  Carnahan  has  likewise  furnished  a 
valuable  paper  on  the  subject  to  the  New  Jersey  Historical 
Society.  We  propose  to  give  the  very  clear,  able,  yet  com- 
prehensive account  of  the  "Insurrection,"  from  the  pen  of 
the  Hon.  Judge  Wilkeson,  first  published  in  the  American 
Pioneer ;  adding  some  concluding  remarks  from  Dr.  Carna- 


254  WHISKEY   INSURRECTION. 

han's  Lecture.  Even  those  to  whom  the  subject  is  familiar 
■will  read  the  Judge's  account  of  it  with  interest : 

*'  The  federal  constitution,  which  had  recently  been  adopted, 
was  not  generally  approved  of  in  this  section  of  the  country. 
Many  believed  that  the  new  government  would  usurp  the 
power  of  the  states,  destroy  the  liberties  of  the  people,  and 
end  in  a  consolidated  aristocracy,  if  not  a  monarchy.  It  was 
even  alleged  by  many  that  the  reason  why  General  Washing- 
ton had  refused  to  entrust  the  defence  of  the  frontiers  to  tbe 
people  themselves,  was  his  desire  to  increase  the  regular 
army,  that  it  might  be  ultimately  used  for  destroying  their 
liberties. 

The  defeat  of  General  St.  Clair's  army  exposed  the  whole 
range  of  the  frontier  settlements  on  the  Ohio  to  the  fury  of 
the  Indians.  The  several  settlements  made  the  best  arrange- 
ment in  their  power  for  their  own  defence.  The  government 
took  measures  for  recruiting,  as  soon  as  possible,  the  western 
army.  General  Wayne,  a  favorite  with  the  western  people, 
was  appointed  to  command ;  but  a  factious  opposition  in  Con- 
gress to  the  military  and  financial  plans  of  the  administration 
delayed  the  equipment  of  the  army  for  nearly  two  years. 
While  General  Wayne*  was  preparing  to  penetrate  the  Indian 
country  in  the  summer  of  1794,  the  attention  of  the  Indians 
was  drawn  to  their  own  defence,  and  the  frontiers  were  re- 
lieved from  their  attacks.  But  Western  Pennsylvania,  though 
relieved  from  war,  seemed  to  have  no  relish  for  peace.  Hav- 
ing been  some  time  engaged  in  resisting  the  revenue  laws,  her 
opposition  was  now  increased  to  insurrection. 

The  seeds  of  party  had  been  widely  sown,  and  had  taken 
deep  root  in  the  western  counties.  Every  act  of  the  general 
government  which  manifested  a  spirit  of  conciliation  towards 
the  British  (who  were  charged  with  inciting  the  Indians  to 
war  on  the  frontier),  was  regarded  with  marked  disapproba- 
tion. The  Irish  population  which  prevailed  in  the  country 
generally  sympathised  with  the  French,  and  felt  the  most 


WHISKEY   INSURRECTION.  255 

lively  interest  in  the  French  Revolution,  and  the  highest 
respect  for  their  diplomatic  agents  in  this  countr}',  -who  -were 
then  enijaired  in  collisions  Avith  our  !:!;overnment.    The  neutral 

DO  O 

policy  -which  was  adopted  in  relation  to  France  and  England 
was  unpopular.  Democratic  societies  were  formed  in  every 
part  of  the  country,  and  the  measures  of  the  government 
denounced;  especially  the  act  laying  a  duty  on  distilled  spi- 
rits. This  temper  of  disaffection  was  inflamed  by  the  expen- 
sive circulation  of  newspapers,  the  organs  of  the  French 
party,  and  of  speeches  of  members  of  Congress  in  the  French 
interest  and  opposed  to  the  administration.  The  ordinary 
means  of  counteracting  the  influence  of  these  mischievous 
publications  were  limited.  The  newspapers  which  defended 
the  policy  of  the  government  had  but  little  circulation  in  the 
West,  and  the  friends  of  the  administration  neglected,  until 
it  was  too  late,  to  disabuse  the  public  mind. 

The  resistance  to  the  excise  law  from  its  first  enactment 
had  been  so  decided  and  general  that  the  president,  desiring 
to  remove  its  most  objectionable  features,  recommended  to 
Congress  a  modification  of  the  act.  This  was  done.  The 
concession,  however,  served  only  to  increase  the  opposition. 
Every  expedient  was  adopted  to  avoid^the  payment  of  the 
duties.  In  order  to  allay  opposition  as  far  as  possible,  Gene- 
ral John  Neville,  a  man  of  the  most  deserved  popularity,  was 
appointed  Collector  for  Western  Pennsylvania.  He  accepted 
the  appointment  from  a  sense  of  duty  to  his  country.  He 
was  one  of  the  few  men  of  great  wealth  who  had  put  his  all 
at  hazard  for  independence.  At  his  own  expense  he  raised 
and  equipped  a  company  of  soldiers,  marched  them  to  Boston, 
and  placed  them,  with  his  son,  under  the  command  of  General 
"Washington.  He  was  the  brother-in-law  to  the  distinguished 
General  Morgan,  and  father-in-law  to  ^lajors  Craig  and  Kirk- 
patrick ;  officers  highly  respected  in  the  western  country. 
Besides  General  Neville's  claims  as  a  soldier  and  a  patriot,  he 
had  contributed  greatly  to  relieve  the  sufferings  of  the  settlers 
in  his  vicinity.    He  divided  his  last  loaf  with  the  needy  ;  and 


256  WHISKEY   INSURRECTIOX. 

in  a  season  of  more  than  ordinary  scarcity,  as  soon  as  his 
-wheat  was  sufficiently  matured  to  be  converted  into  food,  he 
opened  his  fields  to  those  who  were  suffering  with  hunger.  If 
any  man  could  have  executed  this  odious  law,  General  Neville 
was  that  man.  He  entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  office,  and 
appointed  his  deputies  from  among  the  most  popular  citizens. 
The  first  attempts,  however,  to  enforce  the  law,  were  resisted. 
One  or  more  deputies  were  tarred  and  feathered ;  others  were 
compelled  to  give  up  their  appointments  to  avoid  like  treat- 
ment. The  opposers  of  the  law,  having  proceeded  to  open 
acts  of  resistance,  now  assumed  a  bolder  attitude.  An  assem- 
blage of  several  hundred  men  proceeded  in  the  night  to 
General  Neville's  house  and  demanded  the  surrender  of  his 
commission ;  but  finding  him  prepared  for  defence,  they  at- 
tempted no  violence.  He  had  not  doubted  that  there  was 
sufficient  patriotism  in  the  country  to  enable  the  civil  autho- 
rities to  protect  him  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty ;  but  in  this 
he  was  mistaken.  The  magistrates  were  powerless.  Their 
authority  was  set  at  defiance. 

Although  a  large  majority  of  the  disaffected  never  dreamed 
of  carrying  their  opposition  to  the  measures  of  government 
to  open  resistance,  yet  they  had  aided  to  create  a  tempest 
which  they  could  neither  dire'bt  nor  allay.  The  population 
received  a  large  increase,  yearly,  of  Irish  emigrants,  who  had 
been  obliged  to  leave  their  own  country  on  account  of  oppo- 
sition to  its  government ;  besides  which,  there  was  a  large 
floating  population,  who  had  found  employment  in  guarding 
the  frontiers,  and  who  had  nothing  to  lose  by  insurrection. 
Both  of  these  classes  joined  the  insurgent  party,  and  even 
forced  them  to  adopt  more  extreme  measures  than  they  had 
at  first  contemplated.  They  at  length  proceeded  so  far  as  to 
form  an  organized  resistance  to  the  law.  Meetings  were  held 
and  officers  were  appointed  in  the  most  excited  districts. 
Several  hundred  men  volunteered  to  take  General  Neville 
into  immediate  custody.  His  friends  in  Pittsburg,  being 
apprised  of  these  movements,  advised  that  measures  should 


WHISKEY    IXSURRECTION.  257 

be  adopted  for  his  protection.  But  they  were  greatly  mis- 
taken in  the  amount  of  force  which  would  be  requisite.  Major 
Kirkpatrick,  with  only  a  dozen  soldiers  from  the  garrison 
at  Pittsburg,  repaired  to  General  Neville's  house,  which  was 
that  very  evening  (July  15,  1794),  surrounded  by  about  five 
hundred  men.  The  General,  yielding  to  the  importunity  of 
friends,  had,  on  the  approach  of  the  insurgents,  withdrawn 
from  his  house,  accompanied  by  his  servant.  The  assailants 
demanded  that  the  General  and  his  papers  should  be  given 
up  to  them.  On  being  refused,  a  fire  was  commenced,  which 
was  continued  some  time,  until  Major  M'Farland,  an  influen- 
tial citizen,  who  was  one  of  the  assailants,  was  shot. 

Gen.  Neville's  house  was  situated  on  an  elevated  plain 
which  overlooked  the  surrounding  country.  A  range  of 
negro  houses  was  on  one  side,  and  barns  and  stables  on  the 
other.  These  were  fired  by  the  assailants,  and  when  the 
flames  were  about  to  communicate  with  the  dwelling-house, 
the  party  within  surrendered.  The  soldiers  were  dismissed. 
The  son  of  General  Neville,  who  came  up  during  the  attack, 
was  taken  prisoner,  but,  with  Kirkpatrick,  was  released  on 
condition  of  leaving  the  country. 

This  violent  outrage  produced  a  strong  sensation.  It  was 
in  the  season  of  harvest,  when  the  people  of  the  surrounding 
country  were  collected  in  groups  to  aid  each  other  in  cutting 
their  grain.  During  the  day,  it  became  known  that  prepara- 
tions were  making  to  take  General  Neville.  As  he  could  call 
to  his  aid  nearly  a  hundred  of  his  faithful  slaves,  who  had 
learned  the  use  of  arms  in  the  Indian  war,  it  was  believed 
that  he  would  defend  himself.  Few,  if  any,  of  the  immediate 
neighbors  of  the  General  were  engaged  in  the  attack ;  but, 
instead  of  going  to  his  defence,  they  collected  from  a  distance 
of  several  miles  around,  and  selected  the  most  favorable  posi- 
tions in  the  neighborhood  for  listening  to,  or  seeing  the  anti- 
cipated attack.  At  about  10  o'clock  in  the  evening,  I  wit- 
nessed the  commencement  of  the  fire  at  a  distance  of  two 
miles,  and  saw  the  flames  ascending  from  the  burning  houses, 
17 


258  WHISKEY   INSURRECTION. 

until  the  actors  in  the  scene  became  visible  in  the  increasing 
light.  It  was  a  painful  sight,  especially  to  those  who  had 
experienced  the  hospitality  of  the  only  fine  mansion  in  the 
country,  to  see  it  destroyed  by  a  lawless  mob,  and  its  inmates 
exposed  to  their  fury.  Even  those  who  were  opposed  to  the 
measures  of  the  administration,  and  had  countenanced  resist- 
ance to  the  execution  of  the  excise  law,  were  overwhelmed  at 
this  appalling  commencement  of  open  insurrection.  Meetings 
were  proposed  by  the  friends  of  order,  for  the  purpose  of 
concerting  measures  for  their  own  security;  but  so  much  time 
was  lost  in  deliberation,  that  the  insurgents  became  too  strong 
to  be  resisted. 

Men  of  property  and  influence,  who  had  become  compro- 
mitted  in  the  destruction  of  General  Neville's  house,  exerted 
themselves  to  involve  the  whole  country  in  open  resistance  to 
the  laws.  Several  officers  of  the  government  and  others^ 
whose  influence  was  feared,  were  forced  to  leave  the  country. 
The  mail  was  robbed,  and  the  names  of  several  writers  found 
in  it  were  added  to  the  list  of  the  proscribed.  Those  who 
were  thus  expelled  their  country  dared  not  take  the  usual 
road  across  the  mountains,  but  were  compelled  to  proceed  by 
a  dangerous  and  circuitous  route  through  the  wilderness. 

The  insurgents  seemed  resolved  that  there  should  be  no 
neutrals  in  the  country.  Immediately  after  the  first  out- 
break, they  called  a  general  meeting  of  the  militia  at  Brad- 
dock's  field,  to  decide  upon  the  measures  which  should  be 
farther  taken  in  relation  to  the  excise.  Seven  or  eight  thou- 
sand assembled,  and  an  attorney  from  "Washington  assumed 
the  command.  He  was  a  blustering  demagogue,  and  destitute 
of  the  courage  and  decision  necessary  to  direct  an  insurrec- 
tion. The  leaders  had  no  plan  digested  for  future  action ; 
nor  could  this  extraordinary  assemblage,  whose  grotesque  ap- 
pearance it  would  require  a  Falstaff  to  describe,  tell  for  what 
purpose  they  had  come  together.  A  committee  was  appointed 
to  deliberate.  Hugh  Henry  Brackenridge,  a  distinguished 
lawyer  of  Pittsburg,  who  filled  a  large  space  in  the  country, 


WHISKEY    INSURRECTION.  ^  259 

and  was  known  as  an  opposer  of  some  of  the  mca?-ures  of  the 
administration,  and  therefore  presumed  to  be  in  favor  of  re- 
sistance, was  appointed  on  this  committee.  Possessing  great 
powers  of  persuasion,  he  succeeded  in  preventing  the  com- 
mittee from  recommending  energetic  measures,  and  urged 
moderation  until  the  eifect  of  their  past  resistance  should  be 
known.  The  report  of  the  committee  merely  recommended 
the  holding  of  a  meeting,  by  delegates,  from  the  several  towns 
in  the  country,  at  Parkinson's  ferry,  a  few  weeks  ensuing. 
On  receiving  this  report,  much  dissatisfaction  was  manifested  ; 
the  assembly,  however,  dispersed,  two  or  three  thousand  men 
only  marching  in  a  body  to  Pittsburg.  A  portion  of  these 
proposed  to  burn  the  place,  but  the  kindness  of  the  citizens 
in  supplying  them  with  provisions,  and  the  influence  of  the 
more  respectable  of  their  associates,  induced  them  to  leave  the 
village  unharmed.  They  contented  themselves  with  burning 
the  mansion  of  Major  Kirkpatrick  in  the  vicinity.  IMany  of 
the  most  active  insurgents  traversed  the  country,  to  insure  a 
general  election  of  delegates  to  the  convention,  which  was  to 
be  held  in  the  month  of  Augusc.  In  the  meantime,  the  people 
were  in  a  state  of  great  alarm  —  parties  of  the  most  reckless 
of  the  insurgents,  freed  from  all  restraints  of  law,  paraded 
the  country,  and  threatened  destruction  to  all  tories  and  aris- 
tocrats, (epithets  applied  to  all  who  would  not  join  them.)  In 
the  face  of  all  these  dangers,  however,  many  of  the  towns 
sent,  as  delegates,  friends  of  law  and  supporters  of  the  admi- 
nistration. 

The  President,  desirous  to  avoid  the  use  of  force,  had  ap- 
pointed three  commissioners  to  repair  to  the  western  country, 
and  offer  pardon  to  all  oifenders  who  would  return  to  their 
duty,  and  submit  to  the  laws.  These  commissioners  arrived 
about  the  time  of  the  meeting  of  the  convention.  Some  of 
the  delef^ates  to  the  convention  were  men  of  distinf'uished 
ability,  at  the  head  of  whom  was  Albert  Gallatin.  Although 
a  foreigner,  who  could  with  difficulty  make  himself  understood 
in  English,  yet  he  presented  with  great  force  the  folly  of  past 


260  WHISKEY   INSURRECTION. 

resistance,  and  the  ruinous  consequences  to  the  country  of  the 
continuance  of  the  insurrection.  He  urged  that  the  govern- 
ment was  bound  to  vindicate  the  laws,  and  that  it  would  surely 
send  an  overwhelming  force  against  them,  unless  the  proposed 
amnesty  was  accepted.  Mr.  Gallatin  placed  the  subject  in  a 
new  li^ht,  and  showed  the  insurrection  to  be  a  much  more 
serious  affair  than  it  had  before  appeared.  The  ardor  of  the 
most  reckless  was  moderated.  A  conference  was  had  with 
the  government  commissioners,  and  the  question,  whether  the 
country  should  submit  or  not,  was  earnestly  discussed.  A 
strong  disposition  was  manifested  to  accept  of  the  terms  pro- 
posed. The  acts  of  violence  which  had  already  been  com- 
mitted, made  some  of  the  leaders  tremble  in  view  of  what 
might  follow.  The  machinery  of  the  so-called  democratic 
clubs  was  found  not  to  work  so  well  in  this  country  as  in 
Paris ;  and  lynch  law,  executed  by  a  set  of  desperadoes,  was 
proved  to  be  a  poor  exchange  for  the  protection  of  law  regu- 
larly administered.  Many  who  had  been  seduced  from  their 
allegiance  repented  of  their  folly,  and  would  gladly  have  re- 
traced their  steps ;  but  this  was  not  easy  to  do  :  they  dreaded 
the  vengeance  of  their  associates.  "  The  sons  of  liberty,"  as 
the  insurgents  styled  themselves,  could  not  bear  traitors ; 
and  those  who  forsook  their  party,  were  exposed  to,  they 
knew  not  what,  acts  of  violence  and  outrage.  Eor,  notwith- 
standing the  returning  good  sense  of  many,  there  were  others 
who  still  entertained  such  deep-rooted  prejudices  against  the 
administration,  and  who  had  imbibed  such  wild  notions  of 
liberty,  that  they  desired  the  separation  of  the  West  from  the 
Union.  They  were  deceived  by  exaggerated  accounts  of  the 
disaffection  which  prevailed  throughout  Pennsylvania,  Ken- 
tucky, and  western  Virginia.  It  had  been  represented  from 
these  places,  that  if  western  Pennsylvania  would  successfully 
resist  for  a  few  months,  their  cause  would  be  espoused  by  a 
party  so  strong  as  to  set  the  general  government  at  de- 
fiance. 

Although  the  convention  was  in  favor  of  submission,  yet  as 


WHISKEY    INSURRECTIOX.  261 

its  constituents  liad  not  delegated  to  it  the  power  of  settling 
that  question,  it  was  concluded  to  refer  it  back  to  the  people, 
who  in  town  meetings  should  decide  it  for  themselves. 

Early  in  September,  the  gratifying  news  was  received  that 
General  Wayne  had  gained  a  signal  victory  over  the  com- 
bined force  of  the  Indians  on  the  Maumee.  This  news 
operated  favorably  for  the  government.  It  not  only  removed 
the  diss.itisfaction  to  which  the  great  delays  attending  the 
campaign  had  given  rise,  but  it  was  the  best  possible  illustra- 
tion of  the  benefits  to  be  derived  from  the  protection  of  the 
general  government,  which  had  been  greatly  underrated.  As 
a  permanent  peace  with  the  Indians  was  now  considered  cer- 
tain, this  increased  the  desire  for  tranquillity  at  home. 

The  citizens  convened  in  town-meetings  to  consider  the 
terms  of   submission  proposed  by  the  government,  printed 
copies  of  which  had  been  distributed  through  the  country. 
In  some  townships,  the  meetings  failed  entirely ;  in  others, 
they  were  interrupted  and  dispersed  before  having  accom- 
plished any  business.     But  in  a  large  majority  of  the  town- 
ships the  attendance  was  general,  good  order  was  preserved, 
and  the  submission    papers  were   generally  signed.     These 
results  inspired  the  friends  of  government  vdth  courage,  and 
greatly  dispirited  the  insurgents.     By  the  first  of  October, 
tranquillity  and  good  order  were  in  a  great  measure  restored. 
But  as  the  malcontents  were  still  sufficiently  numerous  to 
resist   the    execution    of  the  revenue  laws,  the  government 
marched  forward  the  army  which  they  had  for  some  time 
been  organising,   consisting    of   about    14,000    militia  from 
Virginia,   Maryland,   New  Jersey,    and    Pennsylvania.     An 
unusual  quantity  of  rain  having  fallen  during  the  autumn, 
the  army  suffered  greatly  on  their  march,  particularly  several 
regiments    composed    of  mechanics,   merchants,  and    others 
from  the    cities,  who  were    not    inured    to    such    hardships. 
They  became  so  disheartened  that  if  the  passes  of  the  moun- 
tains had  been  disputed  by  only  1000  resolute  insurgents,  the 
army  might  have  been  greatly  embarrassed,  if  not  defeated. 


262  WHISKEY  INSURRECTION. 

But  they  met  no  resistance  cither  in  the  mountains  or  in  the 
infected  districts.  Bradford,  and  a  few  others  who  had  the 
most  to  fear,  fled  to  the  Spanish  country  on  the  Mississippi ; 
others,  equally  guilt}^,  but  less  notorious  offenders  sought 
security  in  sequestered  settlements.  "  Not  a  dog  wagged  his 
tongue"  against  the  army,  which  advanced  to  Pittsburg  and 
took  up  their  quarters. 

General  Hamilton,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  who  repre- 
sented the  government,  had  his  quarters  soon  thronged  with 
informers,  and  those  who  had  suffered  from  the  insurgents, 
and  sought  compensation.  A  kind  of  inquisitorial  court  was 
opened,  in  which  testimony  was  taken  against  individuals 
denounced  for  treasonable  acts  or  expressions.  Many  of  the 
informers,  influenced  by  prejudice  or  malice,  implicated  those 
who  had  been  guilty  of  no  offence  against  the  government. 

After  a  few  days  spent  in  these  "star-chamber"  proceed- 
ings, the  dragoons  were  put  in  requisition ;  and  the  officers 
furnished  with  the  names  of  the  offenders,  proceeded  with 
guides,  of  whom  there  was  no  lack,  to  arrest  them.  Such  of 
the  proscribed  as  apprehended  no  danger,  were  soon  taken ; 
and  without  any  intimation  of  the  offence  with  which  they 
stood  charged,  or  time  for  preparation,  about  300  were  carried 
to  Pittsburg.  Here  many  found  acquaintances,  and  influ- 
ential friends,  who  interposed  in  their  behalf,  and  obtained 
their  immediate  release ;  others,  less  fortunate,  were  sent  to 
Philadelphia  for  trial,  where  they  were  imprisoned  for  ten  or 
twelve  months,  without  even  indictments  found  against  them. 
But  few  of  the  really  guilty  were  taken,  while  many  who  had 
committed  no  offence  against  the  laws,  but  unfortunately  had 
fallen  under  the  displeasure  of  an  informer,  suffered  the  pun- 
ishment due  only  to  the  guilty.  The  following  may  serve  as 
an  instance : 

A  lieutenant  of  the  army,  while  it  was  halting  at  Pittsburg, 
visited  his  uncle  in  the  vicinity,  and  accompanied  him  to  a 
husking  party,  when,  on  using  the  term  rebel  as  applicable  to 
the  citizens  generally,  he  was  rebuked  by  a  respectable  old 


WHISKEY   IXSURIIECTIOX.  263 

man  of  the  party.  The  officer  replied  insolently,  upon  which 
a  young  man  (for  3'oung  men  in  those  days  always  felt  bound 
to  protect  the  aged)  interposed,  and  would  have  treated  him 
with  deserved  severity,  had  not  my  father  begged  him  off. 
The  officer  returned  to  Pittsburg,  and  the  next  day  both  of 
those  who  had  offended  him  at  the  husking  were  arrested. 
The  young  man  found  friends  who  procured  his  liberation  ;  but 
the  old  man,  notwithstanding  efforts  wore  made  for  his  release, 
was  carried  to  Philadelphia  and  imprisoned  for  more  than  six 
months  without  trial. 

I  believe  that  but  a  single  individual  was  tried ;  this  was 
one  of  the  mail-robbers,  who  was  convicted  of  treason  and 
sentenced  to  be  hung,  but  was  finally  pardoned. 

The  army  remained  at  Pittsburg  only  long  enough  to  recruit 
from  their  fatigue  and  receive  their  pay.  Many  of  them,  dis- 
gusted w^ith  a  soldier's  life,  obtained  their  discharge,  and 
either  settled  in  the  country,  or  purchased  horses  on  which 
to  return  home.  A  few  battalions  only  of  the  army  were 
retained  in  the  country  through  the  winter ;  the  remainder 
resumed  their  march  and  recrossed  the  mountains." 

Here  we  might  close  our  extended  extract  from  Judge 
Wilkinson's  account  of  the  "Whiskey  Insurrection.  But  though 
what  follows  is  not  necessary  to  complete  the  narrative,  it  is 
so  much  to  our  purpose  in  several  other  respects  that  we  think 
the  reader  will  not  regret  its  insertion  here. 

"  The  insurrection  for  a  time  threatened  the  most  disas- 
trous consequences  ;  and  if  it  had  not  been  promptly  crushed, 
might  have  subverted  the  government ;  yet  it  was  not  without 
its  advantages.  Its  suppression  tested  the  patriotism  of  the 
people  and  their  attachment  to  the  constitution,  points  on 
which  there  had  been  much  doubt,  both  at  home  and  abroad. 
The  practical  experiment  of  raising  a  large  army  by  draughts 
of  militia  from  several  states,  and  marching  them  in  an 
inclement  season,  under  great  privations,  several  hundred 
miles,  to  suppress  a  revolt,  was  a  most  gratifying  evidence  that 
the  government  was  founded  in  the  affections  of  the  people, 


264  WHISKEY   INSURRECTION. 

and  that  hov>'ever  they  might  differ  about  the  mode  of  its  ad- 
ministration, yet  the  government  itself  would  be  sustained. 

Nor  was  it  the  government  alone  that  profited  by  the 
insurrection ;  the  rapid  growth  of  the  country  west  of  the 
mountains  may  be  dated  from  that  period.  Although  the 
country  had  for  years  abounded  in  stock  and  provisions,  yet 
there  was  no  home  market  where  cither  90uld  be  sold  for 
cash.  There  was  but  little  money  in  circulation,  and  of 
course  but  little  stimulus  to  industry.  The  price  of  a  cow  in 
barter  was  about  five  dollars,  and  of  a  good  horse  from  ten 
to  twenty  dollars ;  wheat  was  about  thirty  cents  a  bushel. 
But  the  army  created  a  demand  both  for  provisions  and 
horses,  which  increased  their  value  from  one  hundred  to  three 
hundred  per  cent.  Nearly  a  million  of  dollars  of  government 
money  was  paid  out  in  the  country.  Had  Western  Pennsyl- 
vania been  compelled  to  refund  this  amount,  as  the  penalty 
of  her  revolt,  she  would  still  have  been  a  gainer.  A  large 
accession  of  settlers  from  the  army,  greatly  increased  the 
price  of  land;  money  became  plenty,  and  a  cash  home-market 
was  established. 

But  the  prosperity  which  resulted  from  the  insurrection  did 
not  wipe  away  its  reproach.  The  character  of  the  people  suf- 
fered greatly,  and  the  more  so,  as  the  actual  causes  of  this 
insurrection  were  misunderstood  and  misrepresented.  It  has 
generally  been  believed  that  the  Western  people  were  so  de- 
void of  patriotism,  and  so  insensible  to  the  blessings  of  a  free 
government,  that  they  refused  to  be  taxed  for  its  support ; 
and  that  they  regarded  whiskey  so  necessary  an  article  of 
consumption,  as  to  be  unwilling  to  have  its  price  enhantjed  by 
a  duty.  These  opinions  do  them  great  injustice.  Although 
the  citizens  generally  were  in  the  habit  of  drinking  whiskey, 
yet,  strange  as  it  may  appear  at  this  day,  tJiei/  tvere  not 
drunkards.  The  custom  of  the  country  was  to  furnish  whis- 
key in  harvest;  and  at  ^11  collections  of  neighbors,  to  aid  each 
other  in  log-rollings,  raising  cabins,  or  husking  corn,  whiskey 
was  indispensable.     The  prevailing  forms  of  hospitality  could 


WHISKEY   INSURRECTION.  265 

not  be  carried  out  -vvitliGut  it.  If  one  neighbor  called  on 
another,  to  make  a  visit;  or  do  an  errand,  the  bottle  and  a  cup 
of  water  were  invariably  presented  to  him,  after  being  first 
tasted  by  the  host,  who  drank  to  the  health  of  his  guest. 
Women  treated  their  visitors  with  whiskey,  made  palatable 
with  sugar,  milk  and  spices.  It  was  used  as  a  medicine  in 
several  diseases,  and  proved  an  unfailing  remedy  in  some. 
Among  laborers  the  bottle  was  passed  around,  and  there  was 
always  some  kind-hearted  man  to  see  that  the  little  boys  were 
not  forgotten.  Morning  bitters  were  generally  used,  and  a 
dram  before  meals.  But  this  common  use  of  liriuor  was  not 
limited  to  Western  Pennsylvania;  it  prevailed  in  all  the  new 
settlements,  if  not  over  the  United  States. 

There 'was  nothing  disreputable,  at  that  day,  in  either 
drinking  or  making  whiskey.  Distilling  was  esteemed  as  moral 
and  as  respectable  as  any  other  business.  It  was  early  com- 
menced, and  extensively  carried  on  in  Western  Pennsylvania. 
There  was  neither  home  nor  foreign  market  for  rye,  the  prin- 
cipal grain  then  raised  in  that  part  of  the  country,  and  which 
was  a  profitable  and  sure  crop.  The  grain  would  not  bear 
packing  across  the  mountains.  A  horse  could  not  carry  more 
than  four  bushels  of  it,  but  could  carry  the  product  of  twenty- 
four  bushels,  when  converted  into  high  wines,  which  found  a 
market  east  of  the  mountains,  and  could  be  used  in  the  pur- 
chase of  salt,  goods,  &c.  The  settlers,  at  an  early  day,  cal- 
culated that  the  whiskey  trade  would  become  a  great  source 
of  wealth  to  the  country,  when  the  right  of  way  to  New  Orleans 
should  have  been  settled,  and  that  market  fully  opened  to 
their  produce.  Monongahela  whiskey  was  reputed  to  be  supe- 
rior to  any  in  the  United  States,  and  had  the  preference  in 
every  market.  There  was,  very  naturally,  a  general  disposi- 
tion to  engage  in  distilling,  as  the  only  business  which  pro- 
mised sure  gain ;  and  the  people  of  Western  Pennsylvania  re- 
garded a  tax  on  whiskey  in  the  same  light  as  the  citizens  of 
Ohio  would  now  regard  a  United  States  tax  on  lard,  pork,  or 
flour. 


266  WHISKEY   INSUllRECTION. 

There  were  many  aggravating  cirG^mstances  calculated  to 
render  tlie  whiskey  tax  odious,  and  to  array  the  Western 
people  in  hostility  to  the  government.  For  years  they  had 
suffered  unspeakable  hardships  and  privations;  the  govern- 
ment had  neither  protected  the  frontiers  from  Indian  massa- 
cres, nor  paid  the  militia  service  of  the  settlers ;  and  the 
Western  posts  had  been  suffered  to  remain  in  possession  of 
the  British,  contrary  to  the  treaty  of  peace.  Thus  exposed 
and  deprived  of  the  advantages  of  peace,  which  were  enjoyed 
by  the  rest  of  the  United  States — destitute  of  money,  and  the 
means  of  procuring  it — a  direct  tax  appeared  to  them  unjust 
and  oppressive.  Unjust,  because  they  had  not  received  that 
protection  which  every  government  owes  to  its  citizens ;  op- 
pressive, because  the  tax  was  levied  on  the  scanty  product  of 
their  agricultural  labor,  and  was  required  to  be  paid  in  specie, 
or  its  equivalent,  which  could  not  be  furnished.  Whether  these 
opinions  were  well  founded,  or  not,  it  is  doubtful  whether  the 
law-abiding  descendants  of  the  pilgrims  would  have  quietly 
submitted  to  the  law  under  just  such  circumstances.  The  set- 
tlers cultivated  their  land  for  years,  at  the  peril  of  their  lives. 
Like  the  Jews  under  Nehemiah,  their  weapons  of  defence  were 
never  laid  aside ;  and  when,  by  extraordinary  efforts,  they 
were  enabled  to  raise  a  little  more  grain  than  their  immediate 
wants  required,  they  were  met  with  a  law  restraining  them  in 
the  liberty  of  doing  what  they  pleased  with  the  surplus. 

The  policy  of  laying  a  direct  tax  on  the  products  of  labor 
found  few  advocates  in  the  Western  country,  and  many  vio- 
lent opposers.  It  was  contended  that  the  tax  on  whiskey  was 
but  the  commencement  of  a  system  of  taxation  as  odious  and 
oppressive  as  that  of  the  British  government,  which  had  given 
rise  to  the  War  of  the  Revolution ;  and  that  if  the  system  was 
carried  out,  independence  would  prove  but  an  empty  name. 
It  was  argued,  that  if  rye  could  not  be  converted  into  whiskey 
without  a  license  from  government,  wool  could  not  be  con- 
verted into  a  hat,  nor  a  hide  into  boots,  without  their  special 
permission ;  and  that  it  was  against  just  such  assumptions  of 


WHISKEY    INSURllECTION.  267 

power  that  the  American  people  had  rebelled,  and  had  con- 
tinued for  seven  years  to  pour  out  their  blood  freely,  rather 
than  submit  to  the  evils  and  degrading  consequences  of  British 
taxation.  They  had  fought  for  liberty,  and  not  for  a  change 
of  masters ;  and  while  the  wounds  they  had  received  in  battling 
against  tyrants  were  scarcely  yet  healed,  it  is  not  astonishing 
that  they  should  regard  with  abhorrence  the  swarm  of  govern- 
ment officers  which  every  where  beset  them,  spying  into  their 
domestic  affairs,  and  demanding,  with  official  arrogance,  more 
than  a  tithe  of  their  hard  labor.  This  was  too  much  to  be 
borne  by  men  who  were  imbued  with  the  wild  spirit  of  liberty 
which  then  pervaded  our  country.  "Whatever  might  have  been 
the  necessities  of  government,  or  however  defensible  the  prin- 
ciple of  direct  taxation,  a  more  critical  time  to  make  the  ex- 
periment could  not  have  been  selected.  Our  whole  country 
was  agitated  with  political  discussions.  The  political  volcano 
which  had  broken  out  in  France,  and  was  sweeping  over 
Europe  like  a  sea  of  lava,  threatening  to  overwhelm,  in  its 
fury,  all  forms  of  government,  cast  its  frightful  glare  across 
the  Atlantic,  and  so  perverted  the  political  vision,  as  to  make 
law  appear  like  tyranny,  and  anarch}^  like  liberty." 

Dr.  Carnahan  closes  his  lecture  on  this  subject  with  these 
judicious  remarks : 

"  Many  important  salutary  lessons  might  be  deduced  from 
the  narrative  given ;  but  I  will  merely  suggest  a  few  topics 
on  which  each  one  can  reflect  at  his  leisure. 

First. — In  a  country  so  extensive  as  the  United  States,  with 
such  a  diversity  of  climate  and  soil,  leading  the  citizens  to 
such  a  variety  of  pursuits  and  occupations,  it  appears  to  me 
impossible  to  raise  a  revenue  to  sustain  the  government  by 
direct  or  internal  taxation.  The  Constitution  of  the  United 
States  declares  that  "  all  duties,  imposts  and  excises  shall  be 
uniform  throughout  the  United  States ;"  that  is,  the  same 
articles  shall  be  taxed  alike  throughout  our  extensive  terri- 
tory.    The  consequence  will  be,  that  taxes  not  felt  at  all  in 


268  WHISKEY    IXSURRECTION. 

some  places,  '^vill  press  heavily  on  others,  as  did  the  excise  on 
whiskey  in  AVestcrn  Pennsylvania,  and  will  tempt  the  people 
to  rebel.  We  have  great  reason  to  be  thankful  that  the  du- 
ties on  importations  from  foreign  countries  are  sufficient  to 
pay  the  expenses  of  our  government.  In  this  case,  every  in- 
dividual is  at  liberty  to  purchase  or  not  to  purchase  foreign 
goods,  and  of  course  to  pay,  or  not  to  pay,- at  his  pleasure, 
the  expenses  of  our  General  Government. 

Second. — "We  see  the  disastrous  consequences  of  mob  law : 
the  innocent  are  as  likely  to  suffer  as  the  guilty. 

Third. — When  a  number  of  persons  combine  together  to  do 
wrong,  reason  is  dethroned,  and  argument  is  of  no  avail. 
You  may  convince  each  individual  of  his  error ;  but  he  will 
not  and  he  dare  not  break  ranks.  He  is  afraid  of  his  neigh- 
bor; and  his  neighbor  may  be  as  desirous  as  he  is  to  back 
out,  but  he  dare  not ;  and  this  feeling  may  pervade  the  whole 
community,  and  no  one  will  dare  to  express  his  real  senti- 
ments. This  truth  was  illustrated  by  the  Committee  of 
Safety  refusing  to  vote  openly  at  the  meeting  at  Browns- 
ville. 

Fourth. — In  a  commotion  such  as  that  in  Western  Penn- 
sylvania, froth  and  bubbles  will  rise  to  the  surface  of  the 
agitated  waters,  and  swell  and  glitter  in  the  sunbeams  for 
a  short  time,  and  then  burst  and  vanish  from  the  sight. 
Witness  D.  Bradford,  and  other  leaders  of  the  Western  In- 
surrection. 

Fifth. — Those  who  are  the  most  turbulent  and  outrageous 
when  surrounded  by  a  multitude  agreeing  Avith  them  in  senti- 
ment and  feeling,  are  usually  the  most  dastardly  and  sneak- 
ing when  danger  comes.  Witness  those  who  fled  from  the 
country  when  the  army  was  crossing  the  mountains. 

Sixth. — On  this  occasion  Washington  manifested  his  usual 
wisdom,  in  calling  out  an  army  so  large  as  to  render  opposi- 
tion hopeless,  and  by  this  means  avoiding  the  effusion  of 
human  blood. 


THE    mailT    .SIDE    OF   THE    PICTURE.  269 

Lastly. — This  occurrence  was  salutary  as  an  example, 
showing  that  the  Federal  Government  was  not  a  rope  of 
sand,  which  might  be  broken  at  the  will  of  any  section  of  the 
country,  whenever  any  State  or  part  of  a  State  thought  a 
particular  law  unjust  or  oppressive. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


THE    BRIGHT   SIDE   OF   THE    PICTURE. 

We  have  now  thrown  together  several  topics  which  seemed 
to  require  notice  in  order  to  understand  and  appreciate  those 
times  of  the  Old  Redstone  Presbytery.  In  giving  *'  the  lights 
and  shadows"  of  those  days  through  which  our  fathers  passed, 
we  may  seem  to  have  had  most  to  say  about  the  ''shadows." 
"VVe  have  not  adverted  much  to  the  brighter  side.  AVe  have 
shown  that  all  our  first  ministers  were  a  very  laborious  set  of 
men.  They  were  the  very  reverse  of  the  character  given  by 
the  witty  Dr.  Jortin  of  a  clergyman  of  his  acquaintance : 
"  invisible  six  days,  and  incomprehensible  on  the  seventh."  It 
would  be  a  great  mistake,  indeed,  were  wc  to  conclude,  in  view 
of  all  that  has  been  now  written,  that  these  old  ministers  and 
their  people  were  a  joyless,  unhappy,  or  gloomy  race.  The 
very  reverse  would  be  more  true.  Though  they  sowed  in 
tears,  they  reaped,  even  here,  in  joy.  "We  have  seen  some 
of  the  fountains  of  consolation  that  were  opened  to  them  in 
the  wilderness,  and  the  streams  that  followed  them  in  the 
desert.  We  have  mentioned  their  communion  seasons  and 
their  protracted  meetings,  even  in  the  forts.  We  have  ad- 
verted to  their  health,  and  that  of  their  families,  and  to  the 
protecting  care  of  Divine  Providence  over  them  in  all  their 
journeys.     We  might  have  mentioned  that  in  very  few  in- 


270  THE    BRIGHT    SIDE    OF   THE    PICTURE. 

stances  did  our  people  suffer  in  life,  or  limb,  or  liberty,  from 
their  savage  foes.  Perhaps  no  entire  Presbyterian  family  was 
ever  massacred  or  led  into  captivity,  though  often  exposed 
and  in  imminent  danger.  This  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  has 
often  been  mentioned  by  many  yet  living.  "We  might  speak 
of  other  sources  of  satisfaction  and  enjoyment  which  that 
pious  race  had,  either  in  possession,  or  in  prospect  for  their 
children.  But  the  greatest  of  all  blessings  which  they  en- 
joyed, were  the  frequent  and  copious  outpourings  of  the  holy 
Spirit  upon  the  churches,  converting  multitudes  to  God,  and 
bringing  in  vast  numbers  of  the  rising  youth  into  the  church. 
We  quote  the  following  as  some  specimen  of  what  we  mean, 
from  the  "Western  Missionary  Magazine,"  for  September, 
1803:  — 
:c^  "In  the  latter  part  of  the  year    1781,  the  Lord  began  a 

V  gracious  work  in  the  congregations  of  Cross  Creek  and  Upper 
Buffalo,  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Smith,  about 
one  year  after  he  took  the  pastoral  care  of  these  congrega- 
tions. During  the  winter  season,  week-day  and  night  sermons, 
and  meetings  for  social  worship  were  frequent,  the  assemblies 
numerous  and  attentive,  and  a  considerable  number  under 
deep  convictions,  with  frequent  instances  of  new  awakenings. 
The  summer  following  was  remarkable  for  the  increase  of 
the  awakened;  although  most  labored  long  without  relief. 
The  few  pious  who  were  in  these  infant  congregations  were 
at  this  time  earnestly  engaged  for  additions  to  their  number, 
and  felt  something  of  the  pangs  of  travailing  in  birth  for 
souls.  Much  of  the  spirit  of  prayer  was  poured  out.  In  the 
latter  part  of  this  summer,  the  work  became  more  glorious 
and  comfortable ;  numbers  of  the  distressed  souls  obtained 
sweet  deliverance ;  and  at  the  time  the  Lord's  Supper  was 
administered  in  Buffalo,  in  the  fall  of  1783,  about  one  hun- 
dred of  the  subjects  of  this  good  work  were  admitted  to  com- 
munion, and  many  were  awakened  on  that  occasion.  The 
awakening  and  hopeful  conversion  of  sinners  continued  and 
increased  through  three  or  four  years ;  nor  was  there  much 


THE    BRIGHT    SIDE    OF    THE    PICTURE.  271 

appearance  of  a  decline  for  six  or  seven  years  after  it  began. 
Within  this  gracious  season  there  were  many  sweet,  solemn 
sacramental  occasions.  The  most  remarkable  of  these  was 
at  Cross  Creek,  in  the  spring  of  the  year  1787.  It  was  a 
v^ry  refreshing  season  to  the  pious,  a  time  of  deliverance  to 
a  number  of  the  distressed,  and  of  awakening  to  many.  The 
Monda}''  evening  was  peculiarly  and  awfully  solemn :  some 
hundreds  were  bowed  down  and  silently  weeping,  and  a  few 
crying  out  in  anguish  of  soul.  After  the  solemn  disunion  of 
the  assembly,  most  of  the  people  remained  on  the  ground. 
The  scene  was  very  remarkable :  the  pious  were  generally 
joyful  and  lively,  sinners  greatly  alarmed,  and  many  deeply 
distressed.  The  people,  unwilling  to  part,  did  not  leave  the 
place  till  an  hour  or  more  in  the  night ;  when  they  parted 
with  an  appointment  to  meet  there  again  the  next  morning. 
Thursday  was  indeed  a  solemn  day.  It  was  spent  chiefly  in 
exhortations  and  prayers  by  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Smith,  Dod, 
and  Cornwell.  The  effects  of  this  gracious  visitation  were 
very  comfortable,  producing  a  good  harvest  of  souls.  Up- 
wards of  fifty  were  added  to  the  church  in  these  congrega- 
tions at  the  communion  the  next  fall. 

Nearly  about  the  same  time  in  which  this  gracious  work 
began  in  these  congregations,  the  divine  influences  were  poured 
out  upon  the  congregations  of  Chartiers  and  Pigeon  Creek, 
under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  John  M'Millan ;  many  were 
awakened,  and  the  pious  much  revived  and  quickened.  There 
were  a  goodly  number  of  judicious  Christians  in  these  congre- 
gations who  actively  stepped  forward  in  their  proper  places, 
and  were  very  helpful  in  carrying  on  the  good  work.  As 
many  attended  from  considerable  distances  with  a  great  thirst 
for  ordinances,  it  was  thought  expedient  to  have  social  meet- 
ings for  prayer  and  exhortation  on  the  Sabbath  nights ;  they 
generally  continued  all  the  night ;  many  attended,  and  con- 
viction and  conversion  work  went  graciously  on.  Frequently 
the  exercised  could  not  suppress  their  feelings  of  joy  or  dis- 
tress, but  gave  them  vent  in  groans  and  cries.     There  were, 


272  THE    BRIGHT    SIDE    OF   THE    PICTURE. 

also,  frequently  week-day  and  night  sermons  and  societies  in 
diftcrent  parts  of  the  congregations.  Thus  this  good  work 
■went  on  for  several  years ;  and  it  is  believed  that  many  -svere 
brought  savingly  to  close  with  Christ  in  these  congregations. 
And  it  is  evident,  from  a  trial  of  near  twenty  years,  that  the 
work  is  real  and  genuine  with  respect  to  some  hundreds  in 
those  two  charges  above  stated ;  many  of  whom  are  now 
faithful  leaders,  zealous  and  active  Christians,  and  pillars  in 
the  Church  of  Christ. 

In  the  same  time,  whilst  this  gracious  work  was  going  on 
in  those  places,  the  Lord  also  poured  out  his  spirit  on  several 
other  neighboring  congregations ;  particularly  Bethel  and 
Lebanon,  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  John  Clarke ;  Ten- 
mile,  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Thaddeus  Dod,  and 
King's  creek  and  Mill  creek,  then  vacant  congregations.  In 
all  of  these  places  the  power  of  God  was  graciously  displayed, 
and  many  souls  gathered  in,  who  have  since  given  evidence 
in  their  lives  and  conversation,  tha^  the  work  with  them  was 
a  reality  and  of  divine  original. 

We  are  able  to  state,  from  particular  acquaintance  and 
frequent  conversation  with  some  hundreds  of  those  who  were 
exercised,  during  this  happy  season  of  gracious  visitation  in 
all  the  above  places,  tlmt  in  general  their  distress  arose  from 
a  deep  sense  of  the  contrariety  of  their  hearts  and  lives  with 
the  law  of  God,  and  the  awful  wages  of  sin  which  they  saw 
they  were  in  imminent  danger  of  receiving,  of  their  utter 
indisposition  to  turn  to  God,  to  love  his  law,  or  to  embrace 
Jesus  Christ,  by  reason  of  the  hardness  of  their  hearts, 
blindness  of  their  minds  and  enmity  against  God.  The  peace 
and  consolations  of  those  who  obtained  relief,  did  not  arise 
from  a  view  of  either  their  hearts  or  lives  belncf  less  offensive 
to  God,  or  from  their  having  done  anything  recommending  or 
entitling  them  to  divine  notice  or  favor,  nor  merely  from  a 
persuasion  of  God's  having  pardoned  their  sins ;  but  from  a 
scriptural  discovery  of  the  plan  of  salvation,  by  free  sove- 
reign grace,  through  the  obedience,  sufferings  and  death  of 


THE   BRIGHT   SIDE    OF   THE    PICTURE.  273 

Jesus  Christ,  the  God-man ;  which  they  viewed  as  suitable  to 
their  perishing  condition,  and  to  every  valuable  purpose  ;  and 
they  found  their  wills  gained  over  to  the  cordial  choice  of 
this  plan,  and  that  their  souls  became  delighted  with  the 
character  and  holy  law  of  God." 

The  writer  or  compiler  of  this  instructive  narrative  proceeds 
to  tell  of  the  abundant  effusions  of  divine  influence,  during 
the  years  1795  and  1798,  and  thence  onw^ard,  till  he  comes 
to  the  great  and  widely  extended  revival  of  1802  and  1803. 
But  as  these  periods  are  since  the  times  of  the  Old  Eedstone 
Presbytery,  and  our  object  is  merely  to  give  some  account 
of  what  the  Lord  did  for  our  old  ministers  then,  we  will 
quote  no  further.  Though  the  preceding  account  refers  ex- 
clusively to  the  charges  of  Messrs.  Smith,  Dod,  M'Millan, 
and  Clarke,  being  intended  to  relate  merely  what  had  taken 
place  in  the  then  bounds  of  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio  —  he 
might,  if  his  range  had  been  more  extended,  have  given  some 
very  pleasing  accounts  of  a  sinftlar  work  in  the  charges  of 
Messrs.  Power,  Dunlap,  and  Finley. 

Thus  the  Lord  comforted  his  people,  and  owned  the  labors 
of  these  men.  Was  not  this  one  of  the  "lights"  indeed,  amidst 
all  their  shadows  ?  and  more  than  compensated  them  for  many 
trials  and  sorrows  ?  There  are  many,  we  trust  among  the 
living  ministry,  who  would  be  willing  to  exchange  circum- 
stances with  these  old  ministers,  could  they  possess  their 
►  "joy  in  the  Lord,"  and  witness  such  "days  of  the  right  hand 
of  the  Most  High." 

Among  the  minor  circumstances  of  comfort,  it  may  also  be 
mentioned,  that  most  of  the  members  of  the  old  Presbytery 
had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  their  children  all  safely  in  the 
fold  of  Christ.  ]Most  of  them  had  large  families ;  the  daugh- 
ters of  many  of  them  became  ministers'  wives.  Some  of  their 
sons  entered  the  ministry ;  as  a  general  case,  also,  they  had 
excellent  wives,  that  in  every  way  were  help-meets  indeed. 
Their  salaries,  though  often  not  very  punctually  paid,  espe- 
cially during  the  early  part  of  their  ministry,  were  really 
18 


274  THE   BRIGHT    SIDE   OF   THE   PICTURE. 

larger,  considering  the  times  and  circumstances  of  the  people, 
than  ministers  now  generally  receive.  We  think  this  can  be 
proved  beyond  all  question,  and  it  ought  to  be  rung  in  the 
ears  of  all  our  churches  in  our  day.  Mr.  Smith's  salary  was 
£150 ;  Mr.  M'Millan's  was  about  the  same ;  Mr.  Power's, 
Mr.  Dunlap's,  and  Mr.  Finley's,  from  £120  to  £130.  Now, 
when  we  take  into  consideration  the  cheapness  of  living,  the 
low  price  of  lands,  and  of  all  articles  of  clothing,  and  table 
consumption,  except  salt,  these  salaries  were  better  to  them 
than  $600  now,  to  any  of  our  ministers  living  in  villages  or 
in  the  country.  Most  of  these  ministers  were  able  to  pur- 
chase, and  eventually  to  pay  for  good  farms.  And  they  did 
so  with  no  fear  that  their  people,  finding  them  thus  committed 
'to  a  permanent  settlement,  would,  on  that  account,  be  more 
tardy  in  paying  their  stipends.  Now-a-days,  it  is,  in  many 
cases,  rash  for  a  minister  to  buy  an^  improve  even  a  house 
and  garden. 

The  plain,  frugal  habits  of  the  times  did  not  impose  upon 
the  ministers  then,  the  necessity  of  anything  further  than  the 
cheapest  furniture  and  the  plainest  style  of  living.  Most  of 
them  assisted  in  much  of  the  work  that  was  done  on  their 
farms.  "With  but  one  or  two  exceptions,  they  owned  colored 
servants,  both  male  and  female,  who  were  carefully  instructed 
and  kindly  treated ;  most  of  these  servants  were  members  of 
the  church.  This  statement  may  surprise  some  readers,  and 
if  they  are  abolitionists,  will  be  rather  an  unwelcome  piece  of- 
information ;  but  it  was  truly  so.  At  least  six  of  the  early 
ministers,  and  almost  all  their  elders,  were  slaveholders.  We 
never  heard  that  their  consciences  were  disturbed  on  the  sub- 
ject. They  provided  well  for  their  servants ;  and  those  born 
after  1780,  were,  in  due  time,  entitled  to  the  benefit  of  the 
Act  passed  that  year  by  the  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania  "for 
the  gradual  abolition  of  slavery."  So  far  as  we  know,  they 
all  cordially  responded  to  the  sentiments  of  the  noble  pre- 
amble of  that  Act  —  drawn  up  by  the  Hon.  George  Bryan, 
afterwards  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  also 


THE    BRIGHT    SIDE    OF    THE    PICTURE.  275 

one  of  the  Commissioners  on  the  part  of  Pennsylvania  to  settle 
the  boundary  line  between  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia.* 

*  The  following  is  that  famous  Preamble,  well  worth  reading: 
"  Wlicn  we  contemplate  our  abhorrence  of  that  condition  to  which 
the  arms  and  tyranny  of  Great  Britain  were  exerted  to  reduce  us : 
when  we  look  back  on  the  variety  of  dangers  to  which  we  have  been 
exposed,  and  how  miraculously  our  wants,  in  many  instances,  have  been 
supplied,  and  our  deliverances  wrought,  when  even  hope  and  human 
fortitude  have  become  unequal  to  the  conflict,  we  are  unavoidably  led 
to  a  serious  and  grateful  sense  of  the  manifold  blessings  which  we  have 
undeservedly  received  from  the  hand  of  that  Being  from  whom  every 
good  and  perfect  gift  cometh.  Impressed  with  these  ideas,  we  conceive 
that  it  is  our  duty,  and  we  rejoice  that  it  is  in  our  power,  to  extend  a 
portion  of  that  freedom  to  others  which  hath  been  extended  to  us ;  and 
release  from  that  state  of  thraldom  to  which  we  ourselves  were  tyran- 
nically doomed,  and  from  which  we  have  now  every  prospect  of  being 
delivered."  (This  was  two  years  before  the  close  of  the  revolutionary 
war.)  "  It  is  not  for  us  to  enquire  why,  in  the  creation  of  mankind, 
the  inhabitants  of  the  several  parts  of  the  earth  were  distinguished  by 
a  difference  in  feature  or  complexion.  It  is  sufl&cient  to  know  that  all 
are  the  work  of  the  Almighty  hand.  AVe  find  in  the  distribution  of  the 
human  species,  that  the  most  fertile  as  well  as  the  most  barren  parts  of 
the  earth  are  inhabited  by  men  of  complexions  different  from  ours  and 
from  each  other:  from  whence  we  may  reasonably,  as  well  as  religiously 
infer,  that  He  who  placed  them  in  their  various  situations,  hath  ex- 
tended equally  his  care  and  protection  to  all,  and  that  it  becometh  not 
us  to  counteract  his  mercies.  We  esteem  it  a  peculiar  blessing  granted 
to  us,  that  we  are  enabled  this  day  to  add  one  more  step  to  universal 
civilization,  by  removing,  as  much  as  possible,  the  sorrows  of  those  who 
have  lived  in  undeserved  bondage,  and  from  which,  by  the  authority  of 
the  king  of  Great  Britain,  no  effectual  legal  relief  could  be  obtained. 
Weaned  by  a  long  course  of  experience  from  those  narrow  prejudices 
and  partialities  we  had  imbibed,  we  find  our  hearts  enlarged  with  kind- 
ness and  benevolence  towards  men  of  all  conditions  and  nations ;  and 
we  conceive  ourselves,  at  this  particular  period,  extraordinarily  called 
upon  by  the  blessings  which  we  have  received,  to  manifest  the  sincerity 
of  our  profession,  and  to  give  a  substantial  proof  of  our  gratitude:  and 
whereas  the  condition  of  those  persons  denominated  negro  and  mulatto 
slaves,  has  been  attended  with  circumstances  which  not  only  deprived 
them  of  the  common  blessings  that  they  were  by  nature  entitled  to,  but 
has  cast  them  into  the  deepest  afflictions,  by  an  unnatural  separation 
and  sale  of  husband  and  wife  from  each  other  and  from  their  children  ; 


276  THE   BRIGHT   SIDE   OF   THE   PICTURE. 

We  would  further  state  that  three  of  these  ministers  were 
at  the  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia, 
in  1788,  which  adopted  the  following  (see  printed  Records, 
p.  540,) :  "  The  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  do 
highly  approve  of  the  general  principles  in  favor  of  universal 
liberty  that  prevail  in  America,  and  the  interest  which  many 
of  the  states  have  taken  in  promoting  the  abolition  of  slavery ; 
yet  inasmuch  ashmen  introduced  from  a  servile  state  to  a 
participation  of  all  the  privileges  of  civil  society,  without' a 
proper  education,  and  without  previous  habits  of  industry, 
may  be,  in'  many  respects,  dangerous  to  the  community — 
therefore  they  earnestly  recommend  that  masters,  wherever 
they  find  servants  disposed  to  make  a  just  improvement  of 
the  privilege,  would  give  them  a  peculium,  or  grant  them 
sufficient  time,  and  sufficient  means  of  procuring  their  own 
liberty  at  a  moderate  rate ;  that  thereby  they  may  be  brought 
into  society  with  those  habits  of  industry,  that  may  render 
them  useful  citizens ;  and  finally,  they  recommend  it  to  all 
their  people  to  use  the  most  prudent  measures,  consistent  with 
the  interests,  and  the  state  of  civil  society,  in  the  countries 
where  they  live,  to  promote  eventually  the  final  abolition  of 
slavery  in  America." 

We  believe  our  fathers  generally  held  the  sentiments  ex- 
pressed by  the  Synod,  as  well  as  those  in  the  Preamble  to  the 
Assembly's  Act. 

Another  thing  which  cheered  these  fathers  of  Western 
Presbyterianism,  after  a  few  years  of  trial  and  toil,  was,  that 

an  injury,  the  greatness  of  which  can  only  be  conceived  by  supposing 
that  we  were  in  the  same  unhappy  case.  In  justice,  therefore,  to  per- 
sons so  unhappily  circumstanced,  and  who,  having  no  prospect  before 
them  whereon  they  may  rest  their  sorrows  and  their  hopes,  have  no  rea- 
sonable inducement  to  render  their  service  to  society,  which  they  other- 
wise might ;  and  also  in  grateful  commemoration  of  our  own  happy  de- 
liverance from  the  state  of  unconditional  submission  to  which  we  were 
doomed  by  the  tyranny  of  Britain; — Be  it,  and  it  is  hereby  enacted,'' 
&c. — See  Laws  of  Pennsylvania,  Vol.  I.,  p.  870. 


THE    BRIGUT    SIDE    OF    THE    PICTURE.  277 

it  Avas  their  privilege  to  introduce  into  the  ministry  a  nohlc 
set  of  young  ministers  of  their  own  training,  possessed  of  a 
like  spirit  with  themselves.  Of  themselves,  there  were  only 
four  at  first.  Soon  three  more  were  added,  coming  from  the 
same  region  they  had  left.  For  four  or  five  years  there  was 
no  addition,  from  within  or  from  without.  After  that,  were 
licensed,  first  Messrs.  James  Hughes,  and  John  Brice — then 
James  M'Gready,  and  Joseph  Patterson.  Then  Robert  Mar- 
shall, then  J.  M'Pherrin  and  Samuel  Porter.  Then  George 
Hill  and  William  Swan  —  then  Thomas  Marquis  and  David 
Smith,  and  Boyd  Mercer — twelve  men,  all  during  the  last 
five  years  of  the  Old  Presbytery.  In  this  respect,  the  first 
seven  ministers  who  had  waited  long  and  sufi"ered  much 
anxiety,  in  view  of  the  growing  vacancies  and  destitutions, 
were  now  "reaping  in  joy."  Their  new  recruits  had  not 
received  a  Princeton  education ;  but  they  were  a  noble  set  of 
young  men.  As  Doddridge  JHstly  remarks,  "  the  course  of 
education  which  they  gave  their  pupils  was  indeed  not  exten- 
sive ;  but  the  piety  of  those  who  entered  into  the  ministry 
more  than  made  up  the  deficiency."  It  is  true,  they  were 
called  to  surrender  two  of  these  younger  fellow-laborers, 
M'Gready  and  Marshall,  who  soon  went  forth  to  do  a  glorious 
work  in  Kentucky.  Under  the  ministry  of  the  first  of  these, 
began  that  wonderful  revival  that  extended  to  Tennessee  and 
Virginia  and  North  Carolina ;  and  at  length  into  all  Western 
Pennsylvania  and  part  of  Ohio.*  This  may  suffice  for  the 
"lights"  of  our  picture. 

We  had  thought  of  mentioning  another  source  of  relief  and 
comfort.  As  in  their  revival  labors,  and  sometimes  in  their 
efi'orts  to  introduce  a  New  Testament  Psalmody — many  were 
grievously  offended  and  forsook  them ;  such  persons  did  not 
generally  go  back  into  the  world,  or  turn  Unitarians  or  Uni- 
versalists — for  such  communions  of  error  did  not  exist  in  the 
West  —  but  they  almost  uniformly  betook  themselves  into 

*  See  Davidson's  Ecclesiastical  Ilistory  of  Kentucky. 


278  THE   BEIGHT   SIDE   OF   THE   PICTURE. 

colder  latitudes  of  Presbytcrianism,  where  revivals  and 
Psalmody  would  not  disturb  them,  and  yet  where  there  was 
much  soundness  in  the  faith  and  at  least  a  dead  orthodoxy. 
This  was  better  for  them  and  for  their  children.  And  the 
piety  and  evangelical  spirit  of  many  of  those  churches  are, 
in  our  day,  greatly  improved.  Now  we  ought  not  to  under- 
rate this  source  of  relief  to  our  fathers.  In  New  England 
it  was  otherwise.  One  of  the  consequences  of  their  early  and 
even  present  revivals  has  been  that  they  were  almost  certain 
to  be  followed  by  organizations  of  Universalism  and  Unita- 
rianism.     Not  so  in  the  days  of  our  fathers. 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH 


REV.  JAMES  FINLEY. 


Ninety  years  ago,  the  country  between  the  Laurel  Hill, 
where  it  was  crossed  by  the  road  first  made  for  General 
Forbes'  army,  and  the  Monongahela,  was  an  almost  unbroken 
forest.  To  the  eye  of  the  traveller,  descending  the  moun- 
tain, there  would  appeaV,  at  remote  points,  indications  of  the 
hand  of  civilized  man,  by  the  deadened  timber,  and  occa- 
sionally by  the  rising  of  smoke.  Two  such  travellers — one  a 
short,  ruddy  man,  in  black  clothes,  apparently  about  forty 
years  of  age  ;  the  other  considerably  older  and  stouter — might 
be  seen,  at  that  time,  wending  their  way  down  the  mountain. 
They  would  look  wearied  and  jaded  —  for  they  had  now 
travelled  near  200  miles,  and  had  slept  on  the  bare  ground 
the  last  two  or  three  nights.  For  no  human  habitation  had 
they  seen  since  they  entered,  some  70  miles  back,  the  great 
Appalachian  chain  of  mountains.  They  are  near  the  end  of 
their  journey  now,  and  have  felt  the  thrilling  power  of  the 
landscape,  stretching,  in  all  directions,  far  towards  the  west, 
without  a  single  mountain  to  intercept  the  range  of  their 
vision.  But  they  have  some  15  or  20  miles  yet  to  travel 
before  the  sunset ;  and  they  have  no  time  to  stop  long,  and» 
indulge  themselves  in  a  rapturous  gaze.  They  must  get,  per- 
haps, to  within  8  or  10  miles  of  Fort  Burd  (Brownsville)  that 
night,  if  possible.  The  elder  and  stouter  man  is  an  old  Chester 

(279) 


280  A  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH    OF 

County  farmer  and  fuller  of  cloth,  by  the  name  of  Tanner ;  and 
he  has  come  out  to  see  "the  lands,"  and  select,  possibly,  a 
future  home  for  his  family  and  himself.  The  other  fat,  ner- 
vous, red-faced  little  man  in  black,  is  the  Rev.  James  Finley, 
the  first  minister  of  the  gospel,  if  we  except  chaplains  of 
armies,  who  has  ever  set  foot  on  Western  soil. 

He,  too,  designs  to  keep  an  eye  upon  good  tracts  of  land, 
as  suitable  homes  for  his  half  dozen  of  promising  boys,  the 
oldest  of  whom  is,  perhaps,  a  stout  lad  of  twelve  years  of  age. 
But  far  higher  and  nobler  views,  if  they  have  not  already 
a  place  in  the  thoughts  of  that  father,  are  soon  to  take  con- 
trolling possession  of  his  mind,  and  to  give  a  new  direction 
to  his  whole  future  life.  He  has  already  been  preacHng  the 
gospel  for  more  than  fourteen  years,  with  great  acceptance 
and  success.  He  has  heard,  perhaps,  from  some  of  his  people, 
who  have  already  preceded  him,  touching  accounts  of  the 
moral  wastes,  and  yet  of  the  rising  prospects  of  this  western 
Canaan.  He  is,  in  the  divine  purpose,  soon  to  be  one  of  the 
noble  pioneers  of  the  gospel,  in  the  frontier  settlements;  here 
to  live  and  toil,  and  weep  and  rejoice,  through  the  last  twelve 
years  of  his  pilgrimage ;  and  then  to  hear  from  his  Master 
the  welcome  discharge,  "  well  done,  good  and  faithful  ser- 
vant." His  noble  brother,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Finley,  has 
not,  at  this  time,  (1765,)  much  more  than  another  year  to 
live,  and  then  to  go  down  into  the  very  floods  of  Jordan,  with 
the  joy  of  salvation  in  his  heart,  and  the  song  of  victory  on  his 
lips.*  But  James,  ten  years  younger,  after  many  tossings 
and  trials,  through  many  years  to  come,  will  be  found  labor- 
ing as  a  faithful  pastor,  at  last,  in  this  very  field  that,  for  the 
first  time,  opened,  that  morning  in  June,  on  his  wondering 
view. 

But  who  was  he  ?  The  Rev.  James  Finley  was  born  in  the 
County  of  Armagh,  in  the  province  of  Ulster,  Ireland,  Fe- 

*  For  an  account  of  his  triumphant  death,  see  Dr.  Mason's  Chris- 
tian's Magazine. 


THE    REV.    JAMES    FEsLEY.  281 

bruary,  1725.  To  that  part  of  the  Old  World,  the  American 
Presbyterian  Church  is  indebted  for  the  first  man  whose  name 
heads  the  lists  of  her  ministers,  the  immortal  Francis  M'Kemie. 
Finley,  like  M'Kemie,  and  a  host  of  others,  was  the  son 
of  eminently  pious  parents,  of  Scottish  descent.  With  them 
he  crossed  the  ocean,  when  he  had  attained  the  age  of 
nine  years.  His  education  was  obtained  under  the  direction 
of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Blair,  who  was  himself  an  Irishman,  but 
educated  at  the  celebrated  "  Log  College."  He  was  a  burn- 
ing and  a  shining  light — a  star  of  the  first  magnitude. 

When  Mr.  Smith  settled  at  Fagg's  Manor,  he  took  charge, 
also,  of  a  Classical  School.  In  this  institution  was  James 
Finley  trained  to  a  very  accurate  scholarship  in  the  languages 
and  sciences.  It  was  the  school  in  which,  under  the  Rev. 
John  Blair,  in  after  years,  were  educated  John  M'Millan  and 
James  Power.  The  subject  of  this  paper  was,  most  probably, 
at  this  school,  when  the  great  revival  under  Mr.  Smith's 
ministry  began,  in  1740,  and  continued  a  number  of  years. 
Of  this  remarkable  work  of  grace  we  have  an  account  in  Dr. 
Alexander's  "Log  College." 

Whether  Mr.  Finley,  who  could  not  have  been  more  than 
15  years  of  age  at  that  time,  was  a  subject  of  this  revival,  we 
have  not  heard.  It  was  no  doubt  of  great  advantage  to  him, 
however,  through  all  his  subsequent  life,  thus  early  to  have 
been  in  the  midst  of  so  glorious  a  work.  When  we  have 
heard  ministers  who  have  been,  perhaps,  some  years  in  the 
ministry,  confess  that  they  had  never  witnessed  an  extensive 
revival,  we  could  not  but  feel  that  it  was  a  serious  disadvan- 
tage to  them.  But  Mr.  Finley  enjoyed  another  peculiar 
privilege.  About  this  time  he  travelled  in  company  with 
Mr.  Whitefield  for  more  than  two  hundred  miles,  with  no 
other  view  than  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of  his  society  and  his 
preaching. 

After  being  licensed,  it  is  supposed,  by  the  New  Castle 
Presbytery,  he  was  by  them  ordained  in  1752,  and  installed 
pastor  of  East  Nottingham,  now  called  the  Rock.     This  was 


282  A   BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH    OF 

six  years  before  the  union  of  the  Synods  of  New  York  and 
Philadelphia,  which  took  place  in  1758.  His  elder  brother, 
Samuel  Finley,  was  still  the  pastor  of  Nottingham,  across  the 
Maryland  line,  but  adjacent  to  his  own  charge.  These  bro- 
thers labored  in  adjoining  charges  for  nine  years  together ; 
for  Dr.  Finley  was  not  called  to  the  presidency  of  Princeton 
College  till  1761. 

About  eight  years  after  the  settlement  of  James  in  this 
place,  his  pastoral  charge  was  enlarged,  perhaps  for  the  pur- 
pose of  securing  a  more  competent  support  for  a  growing 
family,  by  uniting  Elk  with  East  Nottingham.  Here  he  la- 
bored faithfully  and  successfully  till  called  to  another,  and 
perhaps  far  more  important  station  in  the  Master's  vineyard. 
In  1777,  he  had  asked  his  Presbytery  to  dismiss  him ;  but  the 
opposition  of  his  people,  enforced  by  the  presence  and  tears 
of  several  of  the  congregation  who  attended  the  meeting,  in- 
duced him  to  acquiesce  at  that  time  in  the  unanimous  decision 
of  the  Presbytery  to  refuse  his  request.  Five  years  after- 
wards, upon  the  death  of  an  aged  mother-in-law,  he  conceived 
that  the  strongest  tie  of  his  family  to  East  Nottingham  was 
broken,  and  that  his  way  was  now  clear  to  renew  his  applica- 
tion for  a  dissolution  of  his  pastoral  relation.  But  his  Pres- 
bytery, in  view  of  the  earnest  remonstrance  which  his  affec- 
tionate people  made  against  his  request,  again  felt  constrained 
to  yield  to  their  wishes.  His  mind,  however,  was  made  up ; 
and  greatly  as  this  strong  proof  of  attachment  given  to  him 
by  his  people,  perhaps  many  of  them  his  spiritual  children, 
must  have  affected  him,  and  wrung  his  heart  with  anguish, 
he  knew  that  mere  sensibilities  and  tender  social  affections 
were  not  to  be  his  guide  as  to  his  duty  in  this  case.  He  ap- 
pealed to  his  Synod,  and  they  dismissed  him  by  their  own 
act.  And  they,  at  least  by  plain  implication,  directed  his 
Presbytery  to  dismiss  him  to  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone. 
This  was  at  a  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Phila- 
delphia, May  17th,  1782.  "  The  Synod  proceeded  to  con- 
sider Mr.  Finley 's  appeal  from   the  judgment  of  the  New 


THE    REV.    JAMES    FINLEY.  283 

Castle  Presbytcrj.  The  parties  were  fully  heard,  and  the 
Synod,  having  deliberated  on  the  matter,  are  of  opinion  that 
the  pastoral  relation  between  Mr.  Finley  and  his  congrega- 
tion ought  to  be  dissolved,  and  they  do  accordingly  dissolve  it." 
His  dismission  to  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone  was  not  finally 
granted  until  April  2Gth,  1785. 

Before  this  period,  Mr.  Finley  visited  Western  Pennsyl- 
vania—  was  at  the  meeting  of  the  Redstone  Presbytery  at 
Pidgeon  Creek,  March  12th,  1783  —  and  during  that  year  he 
removed  to  the  West  with  his  family.*  He  was  at  Chartiers, 
October  19th,  1784,  when  this  minute  is  found :  "  The  Rev. 
Mr.  James  Finley,  having  been  regularly  dismissed  from  his 
former  charge,  and  accepted  a  call  from  the  two  societies  in 
the  forks  of  Youghiogheny  with  the  approbation  of  this  Pres- 
bytery, yet  being  present  and  invited,  sits  as  a  correspond- 
ent." At  this  meeting,  also,  he  was  appointed  to  supply  at 
various  places :  by  which  it  appears  that  he  was  regarded  by 
the  Presbytery  as  entering  regularly  upon  the  duties  of  his 
ministry  among  them.  On  January  25th,  1785,  when  the 
Presbytery  met  at  Rehoboth,  he  was  still  invited  to  sit  as  a 
correspondent,  and  had  various  supplies  assigned  to  him. 

Not  until  June  21st,  1785,  is  he  actually  present  with  his 
regular  dismission  from  the  Newcastle  Presbytery,  when  it  is 
recorded  that,  "he  having  accepted  a  call  in  our  bounds, 
applies  to  be  admitted  as  a  member  of  this  Presbytery ;  and, 
upon  producing  sufficient  testimonials,  and  a  dismission  from 
that  Presbytery,  is  accordingly  received,  and  takes  his  seat 
as  a  member  with  us."  And  this  is  all  we  find  in  the  minutes 
in  the  case.  In  truth,  he  had  informally,  and  with  the  con- 
sent of  Presbytery,  no  doubt,  become  a  pastor  of  Rehoboth 
and  Roundhill;    and  so  he  continued,  without    any  further 

*  About  this  time  he  was  appointed  an  agent  for  some  service,  not 
mentioned,  by  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the  State,  to  be  per- 
formed in  Western  Pennsylvania.  Ilis  subsequent  report  to  the  Council 
was  satisfactory. — See  "  Col.  Records,"  Vol.  XIII.,  p.  481. 


284  A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH    OF 

action  of  Presbytery.  As  Dr.  Hill  expressed  it,  "  we  were 
not  very  strict  in  observing  church  rules  in  those  days." 

Previous  to  his  dismission  from  East  Nottingham,  he  had 
made  several  visits  to  the  western  country.  The  first  one  we 
have  already  noticed.  Between  that  time  and  his  request  to 
be  dismissed  from  his  pastoral  charge,  he  was  thrice  across 
the  mountains :  first,  in  1767,  and  next,  in  1771 ;  when  he 
came,  by  appointment  of  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Phila- 
delphia, to  spend  two  months  as  a  missionary  in  the  AYest. 
Of  this  we  have  spoken  in  another  place.  Again,  in  1772, 
he  came  over  the  mountains,  bringing  with  him  his  son  Ebe- 
nezer,  then  a  lad  of  fourteen  years  of  age.  Him  he  placed 
on  a  farm  he  had  purchased  in  Fayette  County,  in  the  bounds 
of  Dunlap's  Creek  congregation. 

This  son,  about  three  or  four  years  after,  had  a  perilous 
adventure  with  the  Indians  at  Fort  Wallace.  This  place  is 
supposed  to  have  been  in  or  near  the  bounds  of  Salem  Con- 
gregation, not  far  from  the  Kiskeminetas.  Young  Finley  had 
gone  from  Dunlap's  Creek  on  a  short  tour  of  militia  duty  to 
this  then  frontier  settlement,  in  place  of  Samuel  Finley,  who 
then  lived  with  him,  though  not  a  relative.  While  this  young 
man  was  in  the  fort,  tidings  were  brought  by  a  man  on  horse- 
back, in  breathless  haste,  that  Indians  had  made  their  appear- 
ance at  a  little  distance ;  that  he  had  left  two  men  and  a 
woman  on  foot  trying  to  make  their  way  to  the  fort ;  and 
that,  unless  immediately  rescued  or  protected,  they  would  be 
lost.  Some  eighteen  or  twenty  men,  and,  along  with  them, 
young  Finley,  started  immediately  for  their  rescue.  About 
a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  fort,  they  came  unexpectedly 
upon  a  considerable  force  of  savages.  They  were,  for  a  while, 
in  the  midst  of  them.  A  sharp  fire  began  immediately,  and 
a  zig-zag,  running  fight  took  place.  Our  people  making  their 
way  back  towards  the  fort,  numbers,  of  them  were  shot  down 
or  tomahawked.  Finley's  gun  would  not  "go  off.-"  He 
stopped  for  a  moment  to  pick  his  flint,  and  fell  behind.  An 
V  Indian  was  seen  levelling  his  gun  at  him,  but  was  fortunately 


THE    REV.    JAME3    FIXLEY.  285 

shot  clo\Yn  just  at  the  moment.  Being  fleet  of  foot,  he  soon 
was  abreast  with  one  of  his  companions ;  and,  in  passing  round 
the  root  of  a  tree,  by  a  quick  motion  of  his  elbow  against  his 
companion's  shoulder,  succeeded  in  passing  him,  when,  the 
next  moment,  this  comrade  sunk  under  the  stroke  of  a  toma- 
hawk. A  Mr.  Moor,  seeing  Finley's  imminent  danger  from 
a  bridge  on  which  he  stood,  stopped,  and  by  his  well-directed 
fire,  again  protected  him,  and  enabled  him  to  pass  the  bridge. 
At  last,  after  several  doublings  and  turnings,  the  Indians 
being  sometimes  both  in  the  rear  and  ahead  of  him,  he  reached 
the  fort  in  safety.  But  the  most  extraordinary  part  of  this 
matter  remains  to  be  told.  Mr.  Finley,  the  father,  then  at 
home,  east  of  the  mountains,  three  hundred  miles  off,  had,  as 
he  thought,  one  day,  a  strange  and  unaccountable  impression 
that  his  son  was  in  imminent  danger  of  some  kind,  but  no 
distinct  conception  of  its  nature  or  cause.  He  betook  him- 
self to  intense  and  agonizing  prayer  for  his  son ;  continued 
in  this  exercise  for  some  time ;  felt  at  length  relieved  and 
comforted,  as  though  the  danger  was  past.  It  was  altogether 
to  himself  an  extraordinary  thing;  such  as  he  had  never 
before  experienced.  He  made  a  note  of  the  time.  A  few 
weeks  afterwards,  he  received  from  his  son,  upon  his  return 
to  his  father's,  an  account  of  his  narrow  escape  from  death. 
The  time  precisely  corresponded  with  the  time  of  Mr.  Fin- 
ley's  strange  experience.  This  is  the  substance  of  the  state- 
ment we  have  received.  Its  accuracy,  in  its  most  essential 
features,  may  be  fully  relied  on.  What  shall  we  say  of  it  ? 
Mr.  Finley  was  a  man  of  most  scrupulous  veracity.  "VVe  leave 
the  simple  statement  of  the  case  to  the  reflections  of  the 
reader. 

It  is  said  that  during  the  period  that  intervened  from  1765 
— the  time  of  his  first  visit  to  the  "West — to  1783,  the  time 
of  his  removal,  as  many  as  thirty-four  families,  consisting 
chiefly  of  young  married  persons  connected  with  his  congre- 
gation,   emigrated   to   Western    Pennsylvania,   and   settled 


286  A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH    OF 

within  an  area,  the  extreme  boundaries  of  which  were  not 
more  than  forty  miles  from  each  other. 

There  was  one  thing  somewhat  remarkable  in  the  orderings 
of  Divine  Providence  in.  this  case.  These  men  had  wished 
and  fully  intended  to  settle  in  a  cluster,  and  thus  to  be  near 
each  other  with  their  families.  They  came  out,  however, 
successively,  as  their  convenience  allowed,  to  purchase  or 
enter  lands.  They  were  completely  thwarted  in  their  plans. 
No  such  opportunity  of  getting  near  each  other  was  afforded  ; 
one  was  obliged  to  get  a  piece  of  land  in  Laurel  Hill  Con- 
gregation ;  another,  in  Pigeon  creek ;  another,  in  Chartiers ; 
another  in  Buffalo  or  Cross  creek,  and  so  on.  Thus  they 
became  scattered  through  almost  all  these  young,  weak 
churches,  and  became  the  very  bone  and  sinew  of  them  all. 
They  were  amongst  the  choicest  and  most  efficient  men,  by 
their  eminent  piety,  and  by  their  generous  efforts  and  contri- 
butions in  sustaining  all  our  first  ministers.  Some  of  them, 
years  afterwards,  as  they  would  meet  as  elders  at  Presbytery, 
could  not  but  advert,  in  conversation  w^ith  one  another,  to  this 
remarkable  feature  in  their  history.  "  There  is  that  scattereth 
abroad  and  yet  increasetli."  No  wonder  Mr.  Finley  had  a 
peculiarly  strong  hold  on  the  affections  of  all  his  Western 
brethren. 

"  The  settlement  of  several  of  his  children  in  Western 
Pennsylvania,  and  the  removal  of  so  many  of  his  congrega- 
tion to  that  region,  excited  in  Mr.  Finley  a  strong  desire  to 
take  up  his  abode  with  them.  He  foresaw  that  all  his  chil- 
dren would  probably  remove  thither,  and  he  deemed  it  impor- 
tant that  he  should  be  with  them.  He  believed,  moreover, 
that  his  own  usefulness,  and  the  spiritual  interests  of  his 
family,  would  be  promoted  by  such  a  step.  He  had  become 
familiar  with  the  country,  having  visited  it  every  second  year, 
from  the  time  of  his  son's  settlement  there,  until  that  of  his 
own  removal  thither.  Hence  he  was  led  to  think  it  his  duty 
to  remove  to  the  West ;  and  not  because  he  felt  any  dissatis- 


THE    KEV.    JAMES    FINLEY.  287 

faction  with  the  people  of  his  charge,  or  because  they  did  not 
afford  him  an  adequate  and  comfortable  support."  * 

While  he  still  resided  in  East  Nottingham,  ^ve  find,  from 
the  Records  of  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia, 
(p.  502,)  that  he  dissented  from  the  judgment  of  the  Synod, 
in  a  case  that  bears  an  exact  resemblance  in  its  main  features, 
to  the  celebrated  M'Queen  case,  that  was  disposed  of  by  the 
General  Assembly,  a  few  years  ago,  much  in  the  sam.e  way. 
Mr.  Finley's  dissent,  entered  on  the  records  at  largo',  will  be 
found  to  express  the  views  and  sentiments  entertained  by  the 
commissioners  from  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg,  in  the  M'Queen 
case  —  and  will  show  that  Mr.  Finley  was  a  conscientious, 
firm,  and  fearless  man,  in  thus  proclaiming,  in  the  face  of  the 
Synod,  his  own  convictions  on  the  subject. 

lie  was  a  man  of  eminent  piety,  and  a  devoted,  exceller  t 
pastor.  He  was  much  among  the  people  of  his  charg^^'^ 
visiting  and  teaching  from  house  to  house.  He  thus  rendered 
himself  highly  acceptable  and  useful,  and  the  people  of  his 
congregation  were  strongly  attached  to  him.  Of  this^'  his 
former  charge  gave  strong  evidence  by  their  resistance  to  his 
removal.  ^ 

There  is  one  interesting  fact  that  remains  to  be  recorded. 
Of  the  34  families  above  referred  to,  who  had  emigrated  from 
his  former  charge,  22  of  their  heads  became  ruling  elders  in 
different  churches,  at  their  first  organization  in  Western 
Pennsylvania.  Among  these  were  Judge  Allison,  Judge 
M'Dowel,  and  James  Bradford,  of  Chartiers  ;  Henry  Graham, 
Robert  Barr,  and  James  and  Samuel  Fleming,  of  Cross  creek ; 
John  Wright,  Robert  Moore,  and  John  Powers,  of  Rehobath ; 
John  Allen  and  Samuel  Finley,  of  Laurel  Hill,  &c.  Of  his 
own  sons,  Ebenezer  was  an  elder  of  Dunlap's  creek;  and 
Joseph,  Michael,  and  William  have  long  held  the  same  oflBce 
in  Rehobath.  Joseph  and  William  still  survive,  waiting,  at  a 
very  advanced  age,  their  call  to  follow  departed  friends,  who 

*  Appendix  to  Life  of  Macurdy. 


\' 


288  A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH   OF 

\  now  inherit  the  promises.     Mr.  Finley  himself  was  called 

t  home,  January  Gth,  1705.     Ilis  last  words  were  exhortations 

\        to  his  children  to  attend,  above  all,  to  the  interests  of  their 
\     souls  that  "  were  of  infinite  worth."     This  expression  was  the 
last  that  passed  his  lips.''' 

His  attention  to  the  catechetical  instruction  of  the  youth 

of  'i^is  congregation  was  remarkable.     In  his  own  family,  he 

was  im.  less  careful.  He  had  a  considerable  number  of  colored 

,  Their  children  he  sent  to  the  same  school  with  his 

ley  were  alike  examined,  sabbath  evenings,  on  the 

the  sermons  and  discourses  which  they  had  heard, 

Fere  required  to  recite  the  shorter  catechism  along  with 

n  children.     All  his  colored  people  were  uniformly  re- 

to  attend  family  worship.     In  his  "Will,  he  took  special 

ire  to  provide  for  them  their  future  homes  and  support.    He 

ilso,  a  small  bequest  to  Jefferson  College,  for  assisting 

pAor  and  pious  youth  preparing  for  the  ministry. 

Dr.  Alexander,  in  his  ''Log  Cabin,"  states  that  "he  was 
reckoned  to  be  eminently  pious,  and  continued  laboriously  to 
prei^fch  the  gospel  until  an  advanced  period  of  life.  His  latter 
year??  were  spent  in  the  western  part  of  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  di'ed  a  few  years  before  the  close  of  the  last  century.  The 
writer  remembers  to  have  seen  him  at  a  meeting  of  the  Synod 
of  Virginia,  in  1789.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneers,  who, 
amidst  many  hardships  and  privations,  carried  the  gospel  to 
the  settlers  round  about  Pittsburg,  and  v,'as  the  companion 
and  coadjutor  of  such  men  as  M'Millan,  Joseph  Smith,  Power, 

*  This  concern  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  his  children,  which  he  dis- 
played with  his  dying  breath,  was  illustrated  through  his  whole  life  by 
another  circumstance  of  touching  interest :  it  was  his  custom  to  devote 
a  special  day,  along  with  his  wife,  to  fasting  and  prayer ;  some  short 
time  after  the  birth  of  each  of  his  children,  with  reference  to  its  con- 
version and  salvation.  This,  we  believe,  was  the  practice  with  several 
of  our  early  ministers  and  their  wives.  It  was  the  practice  also  of  Mr. 
Finley's  parents,  as  will  be  seen  in  some  notices  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel 
Finley,  in  the  Missionary  Magazine,  Vol.  I.,  p.  336. 


THE   REV.   JAMES   FIXLEY.  289 

Patterson,  Doil,  Dimlap,"  &c.     ''Precious  in  the  sight  of  tha 
Lord  is  the  death  of  his  saints.' 

Note. — In  a  previous  note  we  have  referred  to  Mr.  Finley's  appoint- 
ment by  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  the  State,  in  1783.  The  fol- 
lowing extract  from  the  "  Colonial  Records,"  vol.  13th,  pp.  481  and 
G17,  will  explain  this  matter: 

"Philadelphia,  January  IGth,  1783.— A  letter  from  John  M'Dowell, 
Esq.,  of  the  3d  instant,  acquainting  the  Council  that  the  Rev,  Mr,  Fin- 
ley  will  undertake  a  journey  to  the  Western  frontiers,  on  the  business 
which  Council  had  requested  him  to  communicate  to  that  gentleman. 
Ordered  that  the  Secretary  write  to  the  Honorable  John  M'Dowell,  and 
inform  him  that  Council  approve  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Finley  as  a  very  pro- 
per person  for  the  said  business,  and  that  Council  wish  to  see  him  be- 
fore he  sets  out." 

Then,  vol.  13th,  p.  617: 

"  Philadelphia,  July  1st,  1783. — A  letter  from  the  Rev.  James  Fin- 
ley,  stating  his  proceedings,  under  the  direction  of  Council,  in  the 
"Western  Counties  of  this  State,  was  received,  and  the  Secretary  directed 
to  express  the  approbation  of  the  Board." 

There  will  also  be  found,  in  "Colonial  Records,"  vol.  15th,  p.  472, 
the  following  passage,  which,  probably,  refers  to  the  subject  of  the  fore- 
going Memoir : 

"  June  14th,  1788. — A  letter  from  James  Finley,  of  Westmoreland 
County,  requesting  Council  to  accept  his  resignation  of  the  offices  of 
Justices  of  the  Peace  and  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  of  the  said 
County,  was  read ;  whereupon  it  was  resolved,  that  the  said  resignation 
be  accepted." 

We  have  never  heard  that  Mr.  Finley  acted  as  Associate  Judge  of 
Westmoreland  County.  But  the  office  might  have  been  tendered  to  him. 
One  of  our  ministers,  the  Rev.  Boyd  Mercer,  was,  for  many  years,  au 
Associate  Judge  of  Washington  County. 


19 


CHAPTER   IX. 

THE   VIEWS   AND    PRACTICE    OF   OUR   FATHERS   ON   PSALMODY. 

It  may  be  satisfactory  to  some  of  our  readers  to  know  what 
were  the  principles  held,  and  the  practice  adopted,  during  the 
period  of  the  old  Presbytery,  on  the  subject  of  Psalmody.  It 
has  been  often  said,  that  Presbyterians  of  the  present  day  are 
a  very  degenerate  race  on  this  subject,  and  have  apostatized 
from  the  principles  held  by  our  early  fathers  and  founders  of 
the  western  church.  What  were  their  views  on  this  subject  ? 
As  nothing  on  the  subject  of  Psalmody  is  recorded  in  their 
minutes,  can  we  otherwise  ascertain  what  they  believed,  and 
how  they  felt,  on  this  subject  ?  "VYe  certainly  think  we  can. 
Let  it  be  remembered,  then,  that  they  were  all  members  of 
the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia;  and,  from  the  pe- 
riod of  their  ordination,  were  generally  in  attendance  on  its 
sessions  till  they  removed  to  the  West  —  and  afterwards,  most 
of  them  in  turns.  Now,  what  were  the  views  entertained  and 
expressed  by  the  Synod,  and  of  course  by  themselves,  so  far 
as  we  can  now  know  ?  We  find  no  dissent,  no  protest  from 
any  of  them,  at  least,  and  have  a  right  to  infer  their  acqui- 
escence, if  not  their  cordial  concurrence.  About  eighteen 
years  before  the  organization  of  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone, 
the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  in  1763,  recorded 
the  following  minute : 

"A  query  was  brought  in,  in  these  words  —  'As  sundry 
members  and  congregations  within  the  bounds  of  our  Synod, 
judge  it  most  for  their  edification  to  sing  Dr.  Watts'  imitation 
of  David's  Psalms,  does  the  Synod  so  far  approve  said  imi- 
tation of  David's  Psalms,  as  to  allow  such  ministers  and  their 
congregations  the  liberty  of  using  them  ?'    As  a  great  number 

290 


ABOUT    PSALMODY.  291 

of  this  body  have  never  particularly  considered  Dr.  Watts' 
imitation,  they  are  not  prepared  to  give  a  full  answer  to  the 
question ;  yet,  as  it  is  well  approved  by  many  of  this  body, 
the  Synod  have  no  objection  to  the  use  of  said  imitation  by 
such  ministers  and  congregations  as  incline  to  use  it,  until 
the  matter  of  Psalmody  be  further  considered.  And  it  is 
recommended  to  the  members  of  this  body  to  be  prepared  to 
give  their  sentiments  respecting  this  subject  at  our  next 
meeting." 

Now,  Mr.  Clark  and  Mr.  Finley  were  members  present  at 
that  Synod — the  two  oldest  of  those  who  afterwards  removed 
to  Western  Pennsylvania  —  and,  indeed,  the  only  ones  then 
ordained.  But  let  us  go  to  the  next  meeting  of  Synod  in 
1764. 

Here  we  find  this  record,  (p.  338,  Rec.) :  •'  The  question 
respecting  Psalmody  came  to  be  considered ;  and  after  much 
discourse  on  the  subject,  the  Synod  do  judge  that  they  are 
not  at  present  prepared  to  give  a  final  answer  thereto,  and 
that  it  is  most  for  the  edification  of  the  church  to  defer  it  to 
the  next  Synod.  In  the  meantime,  we  do  confirm  the  agree- 
ment of  the  last  Synod,  and  allow  those  congregations  who 
find  it  most  expedient  to  continue  in  the  use  of  Dr.  Watts' 
imitation  till  the  matter  be  further  considered  and  deter- 
mined." 

At  the  next  meeting  of/Synod,  in  1765,  we  find  the  follow- 
ing record:  "After  some  consideration  of  the  query  concern- 
ing the  use  of  Dr.  Watts'  imitation  of  the  Psalms,  the  Synod 
judged  it  best,  in  present  circumstances,  only  to  declare  that 
they  look  on  the  inspired  Psalms  in  Scripture  to  be  proper 
matter  to  be  sung  in  divine  worship,  according  to  their  ori- 
ginal design  and  the  practice  of  Christian  churches,  yet  will 
not  forbid  those  to  use  the  imitation  of  them,  whose  judgment 
and  inclination  leads  them  to  do  so." 

Here  are  the  views  of  the  Synod  for  three  successive  years, 
at  that  early  period.  Then  eight  entire  years  pass  before 
they  say  anything  further  on  the  subject.     The  next  minute 


292  ABOUT    PSALMODY. 

is  in  1773.  "An  appeal  was  brought  in  bj  several  members 
of  the  second  Presbyterian  congregation  in  this  city,  from  a 
judgment  of  the  first  Philadelphia  Presbytery,  confirming  the 
judgment  of  the  session  of  the  second  Presbyterian  church, 
with  respect  to  the  introduction  of  Dr.  Watts'  imitation  of 
the  Psalms  into  public  '\^'orship  ;  and,  as  the  moderator  was  a 
member  of  the  Presbytery  from  whose  judgment  they  appealed, 
he  left  the  chair,  and  Mr.  Joseph  Treat  took  his  place.  The 
case  was  stated,  the  minutes  of  the  Presbytery  read,  and  the 
parties  fully  heard,  and  withdrew.  The  Synod,  after  consi- 
dering the  matter,  declare  that  with  respect  to  the  judgment 
of  the  Presbytery,  although  it  appears  to  be  drawn  up  with 
great  caution  and  tenderness,  yet  they  do  not  think  it  proper 
finally  to  judge  and  decide  upon  it  at  present,  but  appoint 
Dr.  Witherspoon,  Dr.  Kodgers,  Mr.  Strain,  and  Mr.  M'Whor- 
ter,  a  committee  to  converse  with  the  parties  in  the  congre- 
gation who  difi*er  about  Psalmody,  and  report  to  the  Synod 
to-morrow  aftei^oon." — (P.  447.) 

Accordingly  we  have  their  report,  the  whole  of  which  we 
need  not  give,  but  only  what  is  relevant  to  the  point  of  our 
enquiry,  which  is  as  follows,  (p.  449):  "As  there  is  not  now 
time  to  consider  fully  the  different  versions  of  the  Psalms  in 
question,  and  there  are  minutes  of  the  Synod  formerly  which 
countenance  congregations  in  determining  this  matter  accord- 
ing to  their  own  choice,  they  cannot  make  any  order  to  forbid 
the  practice  now  begun.  Which,  being  considered,  was  ap- 
proved, and  the  Synod  on  this  occasion  think  proper  earnestly 
to  recommend  to  both  parties  peace  and  harmony,  and  to  for- 
bear all  harsh  expressions  and  sentiments,  and,  in  particular, 
that  neither  of  them  intimate  that  either  of  the  versions  in 
question  is  unfit  to  be  sung  in  Christian  worship." 

We  pass  over  twelve  years  more,  till  1785,  when  all  the 
old  seven  members  of  the  Redstone  Presbytery  are  now  also 
members  of  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia.  At 
their  sessions,  that  year,  "  A  motion  was  made  in  the  follow- 
ing terms,  viz :  Whereas  the  nearest  uniformity  that  is  prac- 


ABOUT    PSALMODY.  293 

ticable  in  the  external  modes  of  Divine  Worship  is  to  be 
desired,  and  the  using  diiTcrent  books  of  psalmody  is  matter 
of  oflfence,  not  only  to  Presbyterians  of  different  denomina- 
tions, but  also  to  many  congregations  under  our  care ;  it  is 
queried  if  the  Synod  might  not  choose  out,  and  order  some 
of  their  number  to  take  the  assistance  of  all  the  versions  in 
our  power,  and  compose  for  us  a  version  more  suitable  to  our 
circumstances  and  tastes  than  we  yet  have ;"  -which  havin^ 
been  read  and  seconded,  after  some  consideration  thereon, 
the  question  was  put  whether  to  appoint  a  committee  or  to 
defer,  and  was  carried  by  a  small  majority  to  appoint. 
Whereupon  Dr.  Allison,  Dr.  Davidson,  Dr.  Ewing,  Mr.  Blair, 
and  Mr.  Jones  were  appointed  a  committee  for  that  purpose, 
who  are  to  make  report  of  their  diligence  herein  at  our  next 
meeting."  The  following  year  this  committee  reported  "  that 
they  had  paid  attention  to  the  affair,  but  had  not  yet  com- 
pleted it."  (p.  522.)  Next  year  (1787),  *'  The  Synod  did 
allow,  and  do  hereby  allow  that  Dr.  "Watts'  imitation  of 
David's  Psalms,  as  revised  by  Mr.  Barlow,  be  sung  in  the 
churches  and  families  under  their  care."  At  the  same 
meeting  the  Synod  adopted  the  following — "  The  Synod  have 
allowed  the  use  of  the  imitation  of  the  Psalms  of  David  for 
many  years,  to  such  congregations  as  chose  them,  and  still 
allow  of  the  same ;  but  they  are  far  from  disapproving  of 
Rouse's  version,  commonly  called  the  Old  Psalms,  in  those 
y^ho  were  in  the  use  of  them  and  chose  them,  but  are  of 
opinion  that  either  may  be  used  by  the  churches,  as  erich 
congregation  may  judge  most  for  their  peace  and  edification  ; 
and  therefore  highly  disapprove  of  public,  severe,  and  un- 
christian censures  being  passed  upon  either  of  the  systems 
of  psalmody,  and  recommend  it  to  all  ministers  in  those  parts 
of  the  church,  to  be  more  tender  and  charitable  on  these 
heads."  This  was  their  language,  in  reference  to  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Abingdon,  where  troubles  at  that  time  existed. 
We  believe  it  very  precisely  expresses  the  views  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Old  Presbytery  of  Redstone.     At  that  meeting, 


294  AJ30UT    PSALMODY. 

Messrs.  Finley,  M'Millan,  Power,  and  Barr,  of  this  Presbytery, 
were  present,  and  we  have  no  doubt  voted  for  its  adoption. 
In  the  next,  and  last  year  of  the  meeting  of  that  old  Synod 
(in  1788),  we  find  nothing  on  their  minutes.  But  it  was  then 
that  all  the  parts  of  our  old  Confession  of  Faith  were  finally 
considered,  adopted  and  ratified.  And  in  the  Directory  for 
worship  which  they  then  approved  and  adopted,  the  first  sen- 
tence of  Chapter  IV.,  (of  singing  of  Psalms,)  is,  "  It  is  the 
duty  of  Christians  to  praise  God,  by  singing  psalms  or  hymns, 
publicly  in  the  church,  and  also  privately  in  the  family." 
Now  this  Directory,  the  Presbytery  of  Bedstone  did  virtually 
if  not  explicitly,  approve  and  adopt.  From  the  review  which 
we  have  now  given  of  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  New  York 
and  Philadelphia,  through  a  period  of  twenty-five  years,  can 
there  be  any  doubt  about  the  views  of  our  fathers  on  the 
subject  of  Psalmody  ?  But  what  was  their  practice  ?  In 
their  own  families,  we  believe,  they  used  Watts'  Psalms  and 
Hymns  generally.  But  in  their  congregations,  they  wisely 
acted  in  conformity  with  the  sentiments  last  quoted  from  the 
records  of  the  Synod.  "Where  the  way  was  clear,  and  not 
likely  to  distract  or  divide  the  people,  "Watts'  version  and 
hymns  were  introduced.  When  it  was  otherwise.  Rouse's 
version  continued  in  use.  Perhaps  in  a  majority  of  cases, 
for  the  sake  of  peace,  this  was  the  case,  till  some  time  after 
that  old  Presbytery  ceased  to  exist.  In  some  places,  a  com- 
promise was  adopted.  They  would  begin  with  an  old  psalm, 
and  conclude  with  a  psalm  from  Watts'  version,  or  with  a 
hymn.  This  was  a  favorite  method  in  several  of  the  churches. 
But  though  Dr.  Power  used  Watts  in  his  family,  he  yielded 
to  the  preferences  of  his  people  in  the  use  of  Rouse  in  public 
worship.  The  lines  were  "given  out"  by  a  precentor,  or 
clerk  as  he  was  called.  Dr.  Power's  clerk  used  to  give  out 
one  line  at  a  time,  and  always,  in  so  doing,  sounded  the  last 
syllable  on  a  dead  level  with  the  first  note  of  that  part  of  the 
tune,  prolonging  the  sound  a  little,  so  as  to  slide  gracefully 
and  imperceptibly  into  the  singing.    To  a  stranger,  the  60*601 


ABOUT   PSALMODY.  295 

was  rather  ludicrous.  But  he  -was  considered  a  great  master 
of  his  business,  especially  by  the  older  people.  But  -sve  trust 
they  have  all  gone  -where  they  sing  the  song  of  Moses  and 
the  Lamb. 

In  Mr.  Dod's  congregation  on  Ten-mile,  a  Now  Testament 
psalmody  was  always  used.  These  emigrants  from  New 
Jersey  had  been  accustomed  to  sing  no  other  in  their  native 
state.  Mr.  Dod  was  often  congratulated  by  his  brethren, 
especially  by  Mr.  Smith,  on  account  of  his  release  from  any 
trouble  on  that  score.  It  seems  probable  that  though  in 
Buffalo  and  Cross  creek,  Rouse's  version  was  used,  either 
wholly,  or  in  part,  on  the  Sabbath  day — Watts'  Psalms  and 
Hymns  were  used  at  their  prayer  meeting.  For  there  is  a 
tradition  that  at  one  of  these  meetings,  Mr.  Porter  was 
greatly  troubled  upon  hearing  them  sing  with  great  animation 
— "Let  those  refuse  to  sing  who  never  knew  our  God,"  &c., 
and  was  constrained  to  join  with  them  in  that  service ;  re- 
marking afterwards,  that  when  he  heard  those  words,  he  said 
to  himself,  "  If  my  conscience  won't  let  me  sing,  I'll  wring  its 
neck." 

Though  we  hope  that  our  church  will  "  stand  fast  in  the 
liberty,  wherewith  Christ  has  set  them  free,"  and  will  always 
in  their  singing,  as  in  their  prayers  and  preaching,  confess 
that  "Jesus  is  the  Christ" — an  essential  element  of  Christian 
faith  —  we  would,  nevertheless,  be  glad  that  our  Board  of 
Publication  would  not  only  publish  the  Old  Version,  as  we 
believe  they  have  done,  but  an  edition  of  our  Assembly's 
Book  of  Psalms  and  Hymns  with  a  larger  variety  of  the  old 
psalms ;  either  separately  or  mingled  with  the  others. 

It  ought  not  to  be  forgotten  or  overlooked,  that  the  intro- 
duction of  a  New  Testament  Psalmody,  the  necessary  exer- 
cise of  church  discipline,  and  the  faithful,  and  searching,  and 
scorching  preaching  of  our  early  ministers  were  the  three 
causes,  sometimes  separate,  and  sometimes  combined  —  of 
driving  many  from  the  pale  of  our  communion  and  of  strength- 
ening  other   branches    of    the   Presbyterian   family.     The 


296  ABOUT   PSALMODY. 

Covenanters,  Seceders,  and  Associate  Reformed,  received 
considerable  recruits  from  our  ranks  in  this  way — especially 
the  two  latter.  However  they  may  "squirm"  under  the 
statement,  and  question  its  truth,  it  is  capable  of  perfect 
demonstration !  But  we  mean  nothing  unkind  in  the  state- 
ment. In  earlier  times  great  deadness  and  formality  prevailed 
in  some  of  their  churches,  but  not  greater,  perhaps,  than  is 
now  found  in  some  Presbyterian  churches.  Even  gross 
clerical  irregularities  were  tolerated.  Some  of  these  bodies 
violently  opposed  the  revivals  of  religion  which  at  dififerent 
times  prevailed  in  the  Presbyterian  churches.  They  were  all 
ready  to  receive,  with  open  arms,  those  who  found  revival 
scenes  too  warm  for  their  consciences. 

That  there  has  been  a  great  improvement  in  vital  piety  in 
all  these  churches,  we  firmly  believe.  No  longer  now  would 
an  elder  lead  off  the  dance  in  a  social  party.  A  balf-intoxi- 
cated  minister  would  not  now  be  suffered  to  preach.  It  was 
better  for  our  renegades,  at  least  for  their  families,  that  they 
should  get  into  these  churches — than  into  Unitarian  or  Uni- 
versalist  societies.  In  this  respect,  we  had  the  advantage  of 
our  New  England  churches. 


A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH 


REV.   JOHN   CLARK. 


When  we  advert  to  the  times  of  the  founders  and  fathers 
of  our  AYestern  Zion,  and  endeavor,  in  imagination,  to  look  in 
upon  them,  when  met  together  to  consult  about  the  interests 
of  the  church,  we  are  apt  to  fancy  we  see  a  group  of  venerable 
gray-haired  men  sitting  together,  and  engaged  in  their  Pres- 
byterial  business.  We  are  mistaken.  Five  of  them  are  just 
in  the  early  prime  of  manhood.  Yet  two  of  them  begin  to 
wear  the  marks  of  age.  One  of  them,  however,  being  of  a 
fresh,  ruddy  complexion,  does  not  appear  to  be  over  forty- 
five,  though  he  is  near,  if  not  quite,  sixty  years  of  age.  This 
is  Mr.  Finley.  But  there  is  another  older  than  he,  wearing 
a  large  white  wig — the  only  wigged  clergyman  we  ever  had.* 
He  has  come  out  to  the  West,  in  his  sixty-fourth  year,  to 
spend  his  old  age  amidst  the  hardships  and  trying  scenes, 
for  which  the  vigor  of  youth  would  be  better  adapted.  But 
he  has  fourteen  years  yet  to  live,  and  they  are  not  to  be  spent 
in  "  otio  cum  dignitate,"  but  with  the  harness  on,  and  in  ar- 
duous labors  in  his  Master's  service,  to  the  very  verge  of  life. 
Such  a  man  claims  a  respectful  notice. 

*  This  peruke,  or  big  white  wig,  excited  some  prejudice  against  Mr 
Clark.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Wylie  will  be  reminded  of  his  feelings  in  the  case, 
when  he  reads  in  the  Life  of  Dr.  Alexander,  p.  97,  how  Dr.  Green's  wig, 
in  1791,  excited  the  prejudices  of  the  then  youthful  Alexander. 

(297) 


298  A   SKETCH    or   THE    LIFE    OF 

The  Rev.  John  Clark  was  born  in  the  year  1718,  and  the 
place  of  his  nativity,  though  not  certainly  known,  is  supposed 
to  be  somewhere  in  the  State  of  New  Jersey.  The  place  of 
his  first  labors  was  in  the  Forks  of  Delaware.  In  a  brief  his- 
tory of  the  Churches  of  Allentown  and  Tehicken,  it  is  said, 
that,  on  the  loth  of  October,  1TG2,  he  was  installed  as  the 
second  pastor  of  those  Churches.  It  is  farther  said,  that  he 
graduated  at  Nassau  Hall,  Princeton,  in  the  year  1759,  and 
was  taken  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  Bruns- 
wick, November  30th,  1759.  And  when  licensed  by  them, 
on  the  9th  of  May,  1760,  was  sent  to  supply  the  Churches  of 
Tehicken,  Allentown  and  Upper  Mount  Bethel.  It  is  worthy 
of  notice,  that  the  time  which  elapsed  between  his  graduation 
and  licensure,  if  the  history  be  correct,  was  very  short ;  and, 
in  view  of  it,  we  would  be  led  to  suppose  that  he  either  must 
have  prosecuted  his  theological  studies,  to  some  extent,  prior 
to  his  graduation,  or  that  the  necessities  of  the  Church  must 
have  been  very  urgent,  to  warrant  so  short  a  course  of  pre- 
paratory study." 

It  is  possible  that  the  true  solution  of  the  matter  is,  that  it 
was  done  by  the  New  Brunswick  Presbytery,  which,  though 
now  in  good  standing  in  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Phila- 
delphia, had  been  long  chargeable  with  such  irregularities, 
and  at  an  earlier  period  had,  for  these  and  other  alleged 
ofi"ences,  been  excluded  from  the  Synod.  This  was  prior  to 
the  disruption  of  the  Synod,  in  1745.  It  is  not  unlikely  they 
still  continued  somewhat  lax,  in  their  notions  and  practice, 
on  this  subject. 

''In  the  following  October,  a  call  from  these  Churches  was 
presented  to  him ;  and  he  took  the  matter  into  serious  con- 
sideration. No  further  mention  is  made  of  this  call ;  but  it  is 
stated  that  the  Presbytery,  believing  that  it  would  be  of  great 
service  to  the  Church,  and  the  interests  of  religion,  ordained 
him  as  an  evangelist,  at  Bethlehem,  New  Jersey,  April  29th, 
1761,  and  directed  him  to  supply  the  Churches  of  Oxford, 
New  Jersey,  and  Smithfield,  on  the  Forks  of  the  Delaware, 


THE    REV.    JOHN    CLARK.  299 

in  Pennsylvania.  On  the  28tli  of  May  following,  he  was  dis- 
missed from  the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick,  and  joined 
the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia  on  the  12th  of  August,  1701. 
At  that  time  he  received  a  call  to  the  Forks,  out  did  not  ac- 
cept it  until  the  next  meeting  of  Presbytery,  on  the  ITth  of 
November  following.  At  this  time  oppositioii  to  his  settle- 
ment was  made,  and  the  dissatisfied  party  was  heard  at  the 
bar  of  the  Presbytery.  The  special  ground  of  objection  is 
not  stated,  and  we  are  left  in  the  dark,  or  to  idle  conjecture, 
as  to  its  nature.  The  commissioners  were  then  asked  if  they 
could  support  him  without  the  aid  of  the  dissentient  party, 
and  their  reply  was  in  the  affirmative.  Whereupon  liberty 
was  granted  them  to  prosecute  their  call,  and  Mr.  Clark  was 
installed  October  13th,  1702,  over  the  two  congregations  of 
the  Forks,  with  a  salary  of  £80  per  annum,  and  the  use  of  a 
parsonage. 

"After  some  time  troubles  occurred,  which  were  brought 
before  the  Presbytery  October  22d,  1700,  and  the  advice 
given,  that  the  matter  be  dropped.  Here,  again,  the  special 
grounds  of  grievance  are  not  stated,  further  than  a  general 
charge  of  misrepresentation.  It  seems  probable  that  some 
leaven  of  dissatisfaction  had  been  working  in  the  breasts  of 
some  during  the  whole  period  of  his  labors  there." 

Perhaps  it  may  be  traced  to  his  earlier  theological  training, 
and  his  inadequate  preparation.  For  however  successfully  a 
minister  may  eventually  repair  such  deficiencies,  they  are  apt 
to  bring  him  into  trouble  during  the  younger  part  of  his 
ministry. 

"  jNIr.  Clark  then  gave  reasons  why  he  wished  to  be  re- 
leased from  the  pastoral  care  of  Upper  Mount  Bethel,  inas- 
much as  eighteen  persons  were  found  united  against  him  in 
the  general  charge  already  mentioned.  The  Presbytery  pro- 
nounced the  paper  disorderly,  and  refused  to  release  him.  In 
the  following  April,  some  of  the  signers  of  this  paper  renewed 
their  charge  against  him,  and  asked  Presbytery  to  have  Mr. 
Clark  tried  at  their  bar.     The  Presbytery  refused  their  re- 


300  A    BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH   OP 

quest  on  the  ground  that  no  sufficient  reason  appeared  for 
such  a  course.  But  to  heal,  if  possible,  the  difficulties,  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Beattj  and  Mr.  Ramsay  were  sent  as  a  committee 
to  bring  the  parties  together,  and  promote  peace.  Of  the 
success  of  this  committee  in  the  matter  referred  to  them,  we 
know  nothing.  It  has  been  related,  by  a  late  writer,  as  an 
historical  incident,  that  the  only  Indian  massacres  of  which 
there  is  any  tradition,  occurred  in  that  congregation  during 
the  time  that  Mr.  Clark  was  pastor.  It  may  be  remarked, 
that  a  writer  in  the  Presbyterian  of  July,  1847,  states,  '  Of 
the  Rev.  John  Clark,  no  tradition  now  exists  in  the  settle- 
ment— a  very  few  aged  persons  remain  who  were  baptized  in 
infancy  by  Mr.  Clark.' 

"  On  account  of  bodily  weakness,  Mr.  Clark  resigned  the 
pastoral  charge  of  these  churches  Nov.  3d,  1767,  and  went, 
soon  after,  to  labor,  as  he  was  able,  within  the  bounds  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Newcastle.  On  the  27th  of  December,  1769, 
he  was  called  to  be  the  pastor  of  Bethel  Church,  in  Upper 
Node  Forest,  Baltimore  County.  Here  he  remained  a  few 
years.  But  transition  seems  to  have  been  his  lot;  for  in 
1775,  the  pastoral  relation  was  again  dissolved.  He  remained 
at  Bethel  as  a  stated  supply  till  1781,  when  he  removed  to 
the  West.  In  this  year  he  became  a  supply,  and,  shortly 
after,  the  pastor,  of  the  United  Congregations  of  Bethel  and 
Lebanon,  at  that  time  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Redstone.  Of  the  amount  of  support  promised  him,  the  cha- 
racter of  his  ministrations,  his  aaceptability  to  the  people, 
and  success  in  his  work,  in  these  congregations,  we  have  com- 
paratively but  little  information.  It  is  generally  known,  to 
those  advanced  in  life,  that  at  the  era  of  his  settlement  here 
he  was  past  the  meridian  of  life,  and  of  very  feeble  health ; 
but  in  appearance,  grave,  sedate,  and  venerable ;  and  as  a 
preacher,  solemn  and  impressive.  He  died  July  13th,  1797. 
What  has  been  called  the  'Whiskey  Insurrection,'  occurred, 
in  part,  in  the  bounds  of  his  congregations ;  and  when  the 
attack  was  about  to  be  made  on  General  Neville's  house  by 


THE    REV.    JOHN    CLARK.  301 

five  liundred  of  tlic  insurgents,  ho,  a3  a  man  of  God,  bcsouMit 
them  to  desist,  but  in  vain." 

Mr.  Findley,  in  his  "  History  of  the  Insurrection,"  giving 
an  account  of  the  meeting  held  a't  Couche's  Fort,  in  the 
Mingo  Creek  settlement,  states  (page  85),  "  While  they  wore 
deliberating  what  was  best  to  be  done,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clark,  a 
venerable  and  very  old  clergyman,  expostulated  with  them  on 
the  impropriety  of  the  enterprise,  and  used  his  utmost  endea- 
vours to  dissuade  them  from  it."  Again  the  same  historian, 
in  a  conference  held  with  the  President  on  the  part  of  David 
Redick  and  himself,  who  were  sent  for  this  purpose,  states 
(page  182),  ''  We  mentioned,  as  another  ground  of  our  confi- 
dence, the  industry  of  the  clergy  in  promoting  submission  to 
the  laws,  and  stated  several  instances  of  it,"  &c.  There  can 
be  no  doubt  he  alludes  in  part,  though  he  does  not  expressly 
mention  it,  to  the  course  pursued  by  Mr.  Clark.  There  was 
an  extensive  revival  of  religion,  under  his  ministry,  in  the 
year  1787,  of  which  some  notice  is  taken  in  the  "Western 
Missionary  Magazine,"  for  September,  1803.'^  The  forego- 
ing account  of  Mr.  Clark,  the  Nestor  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Redstone,  is  taken  mainly  from  a  sermon  preached  in  Bethel 
Church  by  the  Reverend  George  Marshall,  the  present  pastor, 
and  afterwards  published. 

The  following  brief  account  of  the  only  remaining  one  of 
those  seven  men  who,  for  a  number  of  years,  composed  the 
clerical  members  of  the  Old  Redstone  Presbytery,  is  taken 
from  Dr.  Elliot's  Appendix  to  the  "Life  of  Macurdy:" 

"  The  Rev.  James  Dunlap,  D.D.,  was  a  native  of  Chester 
County,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  graduated  at  the  College  of 
New  Jersey  in  1773.     He  studied  divinity  with   the  Rev. 

*  It  is  said  that  the  singing  in  Mr.  Clark's  meetings  was  unusually 
good ;  owing,  greatly,  to  the  uncommon  vocal  powers  of  a  pious  colored 
woman  belonging  to  Mr.  C.  Her  voice,  which  was  very  sweet  and 
melodious,  could  be  heard  above  the  voices  of  all  the  congregation.  He 
had  also  a  colored  man,  Dave,  whose  bass  alone  was  sufficient  for  a  large 
congregation. 


302  A  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH    OF 

James  Finley,    of  East  Nottingham,    and   was    licensed   to 
preach  the  gospel  by  the  Presbytery  of  Donegal,  some  time 
between  1776  and  1781.     (Printed  Records,  p.  491.)     He 
was  ordained,  sine  titulo,  by  the  Presbytery  of  Newcastle, 
August  21st,  1781,  at  Fagg's  Manor,  and  shortly  afterwards 
removed  to  Western  Pennsylvania,  where  he  became  a  member 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone,  and  settled  in  the  congrega- 
tions of  Laurel  Hill  and  Dunlap's  Creek ;  of  which  he  was 
installed  the  pastor,  October  15th,  1782."     This  statement 
is  probably  founded  on  the  following  minute  in  the  Records 
of  the  Presbytery  at  Dunlap's  Creek,  Octol>er  25th,  1782 : 
"  The  Rev.  James  Dunlap,  formerly  a  member  of  the  New- 
castle Presbytery,  having  accepted  a  call  in  our  bounds,  now 
applies  to  be  admitted  as  a  member  of  this  Presbytery ;  and 
upon  producing  sufficient  testimonials,  and  a  dismission  from 
that  Presbytery,  is  accordingly  received,  and  takes  his  seat 
as  a  member  of  this."     As  to  his  installation,  there  is  no 
account  of  it  whatever,  either  then  or  afterwards.     This  was 
the  case  as  to  all  the  others.     A  formal  installation  in  the 
congregation,  and  a  charge  to  the  people,  were  matters  of  a 
much  later  date.     "  The  connection  with  the  latter  congrega- 
tion was  dissolved  April  22d,  1789 ;  and  with  the  former, 
June  29th,  1803 ;  when  he  was  dismissed  to  connect  himself 
with  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio.     It  was  in  this  year  (1803), 
that  he  became  the  President  of  Jefferson  College,  Canons- 
burg;  which  station  he  held  until  1811.     During  that  period 
(a.  d.  1807),  the  Board  of  Trustees  conferred  on  him  the 
degree  of  D.D.     In  connection  with  his  labors  in  the  college, 
he  preached  to  the  congregation  of  Miller's  Run,  and  finally 
resigned  his  charge  of  it,  on  account  of  growing  infirmities 
and  inability  to  discharge  to  them  the  duties  of  a  pastor.    In 
October,  1813,  he  again  became  a  member  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Redstone,  having  removed  within  their  bounds ;  and  in 
October,  1816,  was  dismissed  to  connect  himself  with  the 
Presbytery  of  Philadelphia.     About  the   same  time,  he  re- 
moved to  Abingdon,  near  Philadelphia,  where  his  son,  the 


THE    REV.    JAMES    DUXLAP.  303 

Rev.  William  Duiilap,  resided,  and  where  he  died,  November 
22d,  1818,  in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age.  He  is  repre- 
sented to  have  been  a  very  pious  man,  and  a  fine  scholar.* 
He  was  especially  distinguished  for  his  accurate  attainments 
in  classical  literature,"  lie  seemed  to  have  the  classics  com- 
pletely in  his  memory;  for  he  could  hear  long  recitations  in 
Virgil,  Homer,  &;c.,  without  a  book  in  his  hand,  and  then 
thoroughly  drill  the  reciting  class;  asking  all  the  questions 
as  to  words,  sentences,  &c.,  while  walking  to  and  fro,  with  his 
hands  behind  his  back  —  his  usual  position  on  such  occasions. 
"  His  eldest  daughter  w^as  married  to  the  Rev.  Stephen  Boyer, 
of  the  Presb^^tery  of  Newcastle." 

This  is,  indeed,  rather  a  meagre  account  of  this  excellent 
man,  who  was  so  long  associated  with  his  brethren  in  the  Red- 
stone Presbytery,  and  shared  with  them  largely  in  their  trials 
and  conflicts  ;  and  who  for  many  years  presided  over  Jefferson 
College,  and  aided  in  training  a  vast  number  of  valuable  men 
in  all  the  various  walks  of  professional  life.  But  our  want 
of  materials  for  minuter  details  must  plead  our  apology. 

*  Soon  after  his  settlement  in  Dunlap's  Creek,  at  the  close  of  the 
forenoon  service,  one  Sabbath,  after  announcing  a  second  service,  with 
the  usual  intermission,  and  after  pronouncing  the  benediction,  he  with- 
drew, and,  in  a  state  of  despondency  and  dejection,  retired,  unobserved, 
to  his  own  house,  some  half-mile  or  more  off;  whither  some  of  the 
elders  traced  him,  and,  with  much  persuasion,  succeeded  in  bringing 
him  back ;  when  he  preached  with  considerable  liberty. 

As  to  his  eminent  scholarship,  tradition  relates  that  a  very  difficult 
passage  in  one  of  the  Latin  or  Greek  classics  had  passed  round  among 
some  half-dozen  or  more  of  American  colleges,  without  meeting  with 
any  one  who  could  satisfactorily  explain  it,  or  render  it  into  our  lan- 
guage, when  Dr.  Dunlap  took  it  up,  and  very  promptly  disposed  of  it 
to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  all  who  were  capable  of  judging  in  the 
matter. 


CHAPTER    X. 

EARLY   TROUBLES   OF   OUR   MINISTERS   AND   PEOPLE,    ABOUT 
THE    STATE    BOUNDARIES.  , 

The  controversy  between  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  about 
their  boundary  line  had,  indeed,  commenced  as  early  as  1752. 
But  it  did  not  assume  a  threatening  aspect,  till  during  the 
few  years  immediately  previous  to  the  American  Revolution. 
A^irginia  relied  upon  a  charter  granted  by  James  the  First, 
which  was  broad  enough  in  its  terms  to  cover  nearly  one 
half  of  this  continent  —  although  the  company  to  which  it 
was  made,  had  been  dissolved  by  a  judgment  on  a  writ  of 
Quo  Warranto,  and  although  the  lands  had  reverted  to  the 
crown.  Pennsylvania,  or  rather  the  Penns,  claimed  under  a 
charter  from  Charles  the  Second,  in  1681,  which  assigns  the 
Delaware  river  as  the  eastern  boundary,  and  then  says,  "  said 
lands  to  extend  westward  five  degrees  in  longitude,  to  be 
computed  from  the  said  eastern  bounds."  Under  this  charter, 
the  Penns  contended  that  Pennsylvania  extended  several 
miles  west  of  Fort  Pitt ;  while  on  the  other  hand,  it  was  con- 
tended that  Virginia  embraced  not  only  Pittsburg,  but  all 
the  country  east  of  it,  to  the  Laurel  Hill.  As  the  period  of 
the  Revolution  approached,  the  dispute  became  more  violent. 
Lord  Dunmore,  governor  of  Virginia,  would  listen  to  no 
terms  of  compromise,  though  the  commissioners  of  Pennsyl- 
vania even  oifered  to  make  the  Monongahela  the  boundary 
line.  Fort  Pitt,  and  almost  the  entire  country  now  embraced 
by  Alleghany,  Westmoreland,  Green,  and  Fayette  counties, 
were  under  the  control  of  Virginia  officers,  civil  and  military. 
Colonel  Connolly,  a  man  thoroughly  devoted  to  Lord  Dun- 
more  and  his  views,  then  ruled  it  with  a  high  hand  at  Fort  Pitt. 
In  a  letter  from  ^neas  Mackay  to  Governor  Penn,  written 

(304) 


EARLY   TROUBLES    ABOUT    STATE    BOUNDARIES.  305 

at  tliis  time,  v>'Q  find  this  strong  and  emphatic  languiige : 
"  The  deplorable  state  of  affairs  in  this  part  of  your  govern- 
ment is  truly  distressing.  "VVe  are  robbed,  insulted,  and 
dragooned  by  Connolly  and  his  militia,  in  this  place  and  its 
environs."  So  far  was  this  matter  carried,  that. a  party  of 
armed  men  under  command  of  Connolly,  went  to  Ilanna's- 
town,  and  released  two  prisoners,  confined  in  the  jail  under 
execution ;  and  a  few  months  after,  another  party  repeated 
the  act,  releasing  three  prisoners.  Three  of  the  magistrates 
also  of  Pennsylvania  were  arrested  and  held  in  custody  for 
performing  the  duties  of  their  office.  The  continued  collisions 
and  disorders  at  Pittsburg  and  throughout  Western  Pennsyl- 
vania, could  not  fail  to  attract  the  attention  of  all  the  patriotic 
citizens  of  the  two  states — and  on  the  25th  of  July,  1775, 
the  delegates  in  Congress,  including  among  others,  Thomas 
Jefferson,  Patrick  Henry,  and  Benjamin  Franklin,  united  in 
a  circular,  urging  the  people  in  the  disputed  region,  to  mutual 
forbearance.  In  that  circular  vras  the  following  language : 
"  We  recommend  it  to  you,  that  all  bodies  of  armed  men, 
kept  up  by  either  party,  be  dismissed ;  and  that  all  those  on 
either  side,  who  are  in  confinement,  or  on  bail,  for  taking 
part  in  the  contest,  be  discharged."  As  there  were  no  armed 
men  maintained  by  the  Pennsylvanians,  the  expression  "either 
party"  was  probably  only  used  to  avoid  any  invidious  dis- 
tinction. 

The  war  of  the  Revolution  for  a  considerable  period  sus- 
pended the  excitement  and  the  dispute,  and  though  a  military 
officer,  Captain  John  Neville,  came  out  with  a  small  force  and 
occupied  Fort  Pitt  under  the  authority  of  the  government  of 
Virginia — he  appears  to  have  been  a  prudent  man  and  soon 
allayed  the  jealousies  which  his  presence  at  first  excited.  It 
seems  to  have  been  gradually  understood  on  both  sides,  that 
it  was  wiser  for  them  to  defer,  till  a  more  auspicious  period, 
the  settlement  of  the  boundary  line,  and  to  unite  all  their 
zeal  and  energies  in  the  common  cause  of  their  country,  to 
whose  interests  they  were  alike  devoted.     It  would  not  be 


306  EARLY   TROUBLES   ABOUT    STATE    BOUNDARIES. 

easy  indeed  to  determine  which  party  were  the  warmest  whigs, 
or  which  expended  most,  in  sufferings  and  blood,  for  the  cause 
of   American  Independence.     That    cause  once    secured,  it 
was  their  interest  and  their  desire,  that  all  further  trouble 
about  disputed  territory,  and  conflicting  jurisdictions  should 
be  brought  to  a  peaceful  issue..    Under  the  kinder  feelings, 
produced  by  united  resistance  to  Great  Britain,  movements 
were  made   as  early  as  1779,  to  bring  the  question  to  an 
amicable  settlement.     For  this  purpose,  George  Bryan,  the 
Rev.  Dr.  John  Ewing,  and  David  Bittenhouse  on  the  part  of 
Pennsylvania ;  and  Dr.  James  Madison,  late  Bishop  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  church  in  Virginia,  and  Bobert  Andrews, 
on  the  part  of  Virginia,  were   appointed  commissioners   to 
agree  upon  a  boundary.     These  gentlemen  met  at  Baltimore, 
on  the  31st  of  August,  1779,  and  entered  into  a  preliminary 
agreement  to   run  the   southern   boundary,  from    the    river 
Delaware  along  Mason  and  Dixon's  line — the  old  line  between 
Pennsylvania  and  Maryland — five  degrees  west ;  and  thence 
by  a  meridian  line  from  the  extremity  of  this  line  (Mason 
and  Dixon's,  extended),  to  the  northern  limit  of  the  state — 
to  be  the  western  boundary  of  Pennsylvanian  forever.    The 
legislatures  of  the  two  states  concurred  in  this ;  and  nothing 
was  left  but  the  actual  drawing  of  the  line — which  was  done 
in  1784,  by  the  commissioners.     Thus  forever  was   settled 
this  long  dispute,  giving  to  Pennsylvania  what  perhaps  few 
of  the  people  interested  expected,  not  only  Pittsburg  and  its 
environs  and  all  Alleghany  and  Westmoreland  counties — but 
all  Washington,  Fayette,  and  Green  counties.    It  seems  a  pity 
now,  that  what  is  called  the  Panhandle  of  Virginia,  including 
at  least  Hancock  and  Brook  counties,  could  not  have  been 
included.    But  this  was  out  of  the  questiom.    The  Virginians, 
no  doubt,  thought  they  had  much  the  hardest  of  the  bargain, 
as  it  was. 

But  ^liile  this  contest  lasted,  it  contributed  much  to  dis- 
tract our  people,  and  to  turn  away  their  minds  from  their 
spiritual  interests.     Yet  we  cannot  doubt  that  one  indirect 


OTHER    EVAXGELICAL    CODIES    IN    THE    WEST.  307 

advantage  flowed  from  this  conflict  for  the  West,  between  the 
two  States.  They  both  contributed  more  cheerfully  to  aid  in 
protecting  it  against  the  French  and  Indians,  and  afterwards 
af^ainst  the  British.  We  doubt  whether  either  of  the  govern- 
ments would  have  done  as  much  for  this  country,  had  the  line 
been  early  settled.  Again,  it  brought  out  two  streams  of 
emigration  from  these  States,  and  filled  up  the  country  much 
sooner  with  a  thriving  population,  and  promoted,  more  rapidly, 
the  progress  of  converting  the  western  wilderness  into  thriving 
farms,  and,  at  length,  into  happy  homes.  "Per  damna,  per 
caedes,  ab  ipso,  ducit  opes,  animumque  ferro." — Horace. 


CHAPTER   XI. 

OTHER   EVANGELICAL   EDDIES    IN    THE   WEST. 

The  historical  sketch  we  have  attempted,  of  the  early 
efforts  of  our  Church  to  spread  the  gospel  through  what,  at 
length,  became  the  field  of  the  Redstone  Presbytery,  has  not 
been  given  with  a  view  of  making  an  impression,  that  Pres- 
byterians monopolized  this  work  of  faith  and  labor  of  love. 

The  Seceders  early  began  their  efforts  to  organize  Churches 
in  Washington  County,  and  to  supply  them  with  the  stated 
ministrations  of  the  gospel.  At  a  very  early  period,  a  dis- 
tinguished minister  of  that  denomination,  Mr.  Henderson, 
was  settled  near  Canonsburg.*     The  Rev.  John  Anderson,  of 

*  "  The  Rev.  Matthew  Henderson  -vvas  the  first  minister  of  the  Asso- 
ciate Church  settled  \vest  of  the  Allegheny  mountains,  where  he  waa 
settled  a  number  of  years  previous  to  the  Union  of  1782." 

"  A  strong  current  of  emigration  had  already  set  in  from  the  Eastern 
to  the  Western  parts  of  Pennsylvania.  Many  who  understood  and  were 
attached  to  the  principles  of  the  Associate  Church,  were  among  the  emi- 


308  OTHER   EVANGELICAL    BODIES   IN   THE    WEST. 

King's  Creek,  who  had  received  his  theological  training,  in 
part,  from  the  celebrated  John  Brown,  of  Haddington,  was 
one  of  their  first  ministers.  "We  have  not  access  to  any 
work,  however,  that  would  enable  us  to  extend  this  notice  of 
that  respectable  branch  of  the  Presbyterian  family,  in  their 
first  efforts  among  the  frontier  settlers. 

The  Baptists  were  early  in  the  field,  also,  and  labored  with 
diligence  and  zeal,  and  great  success,  especially  in  what  is 
now  Fayette  County.  The  Redstone  Association,  Mr.  Bene- 
dict, their  historian,  supposes,  was  organized  in  1776. 

"  One  of  the  oldest  Churches  was  gathered  in  1770,  under 
the  ministry  of  Elder  John  Sutton.  It  was,  at  first,  called 
Great  Bethel — now  Uniontown,  in  the  County  of  Fayette. 
This  Church  was  the  mother  of  many  others  which  arose 
around  it.  Mr.  Sutton  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  was 
one  of  five  brothers  who  were  Baptist  preachers.  Two  of 
them  removed  to  this  country  with  him.  He  settled  in  the 
Bedstone  country  when  it  was  in  a  wilderness  state,  and  was 
long  a  laborious  and  much  respected  preacher,  throughout  an 
extensive  circle  of  Churches,  which  were  planted,  either  wholly 
or  in  part,  by  his  means.  The  time  of  his  death  is  not  known, 
but  it  is  believed  to  have  been  not  far  from  1800. 

"  Cotemporary  ^vith  this  evangelical  servant  of  God  was  the 
pious  and  successful  John  Corbley,  who  was  made  to  drink 
deeply  of  the  cup  of  affliction,  (by  the  massacre  of  his  wife 
by  the  savages,  on  a  Sabbath  morning,  as  they  were  going  on 
foot  to  the  place  of  worship — of  which  see  a  thrilling  account 
in  Day's  Hist.  Coll.  of  Penn.*)  This  distinguished  man  was 
a  native  of  England,  where  he  was  born  in  1733 — came  to 
this  country  in  very  early  life — paid  for  his  passage  by  four 
years'  service  in  Pennsylvania — became  a  Baptist  preacher  in 

grants.     These  carried  their  profession  with  them,  and  wherever  they 
settled,  they  generally  formed  the  beginning  of  a  congregation.     These 
congregations  were  rapidly  multiplied  in  the  Western  part  of  Pennsyl- 
v^ania." — Miller^ s  "  Sketches  and  Sermons,^'  p.  80. 
^  See,  also,  our  Sketch  of  the  Life  of  Mr.  Dod. 


RECORDS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERY  OF  REDSTONE.     309 

Virginia,  ^vllcre  he  suffered  maltreatment  and  imprisonment, 
in  the  times  of  persecution  in  the  Old  Dominion — settled  in 
Western  Pennsylvania,  in  1768,  and  became  the  coadjutor 
of  Sutton,  and  others,  in  planting  the  first  Churches  of  our 
order  in  that  region. 

"  For  half  a  century,  or  more,  the  Old  Redstone  Associa- 
tion was  regarded  as  a  very  important  institution  in  the 
whole  Baptist  connection,  and  embraced  the  talent  and  enter- 
prize  of  our  Society,  in  this  great  field  of  labor." — Benedict's 
Hist,  of  Bap. 

"We  have  no  means  of  ascertaining  at  what  time  and  where 
the  Methodists  began  their  itinerating  labors ;  but  have  rea- 
son to  believe  it  was  not  much,  if  at  all,  before  the  beginning 
of  the  present  century,  or  at  least,  till  after  the  period  of  the 
Old  Redstone  Presbytery. 


RECORDS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERY  OF  REDSTONE. 

In  placing  before  the  reader  the  minutes  of  the  Presbytery 
during  its  earlier  history,  we  hope  that  we  will  not  merely 
gratify  curiosity,  but  furnish  additional  materials  for  a  monu- 
ment to  the  honor  and  praise  of  our  fathers.  Our  original 
plan  was  to  publish  these  Records  entire,  and  we  had  care- 
fully twice  transcribed  them  for  this  purpose  —  employing  a 
system  of  abbreviations,  in  order  to  condense  the  whole  into 
a  reasonable  space.  But  we  have  since  concluded  to  drop 
out  of  our  transcript  all  those  portions  of  the  Records  that 
are  only  used  as  necessary  forms  in  such  cases ;  as,  for  in- 
stance—  "Presbytery  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow  morning 
at  9  o'clock  —  concluded  with  prayer."  "Presbytery  met 
according  to  adjournment  —  ordered  to  read  the  minutes  of 
the  last  meeting,"  &c.,  &c.  We  have  also  drawn  our  pen 
across  all  statements  about  congregational  settlements  —  and 


310    RECORDS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERY  OE  REDSTONE. 

about  supplies  —  about  leave  of  absence  —  reasons  sustained 
for  late  attendance  —  or  non-attendance,  or  non-compliance 
with  appointments,  &c.  These,  especially  the  first  two  items, 
form  a  considerable  mass  of  the  minutes.  We  have  also, 
after  a  few  of  the  earlier  meetings  of  the  Presbytery,  deemed 
it  unnecessary  to  give  the  names  of  the  ministers  and  elders 
present,  and  of  the  absentees.  With  these  exceptions,  and 
with  some  abbreviated  forms  of  expression  respecting  candi- 
dates and  their  exercises  for  trial,  we  have  given  the  entire 
minutes.  To  many  it  may  seem  that  we  should  have  gone 
further,  and  left  out  much  more.  But  we  cannot  doubt  that, 
to  many  others,  much  satisfaction  will  be  afi'orded  by  the  pe- 
rusal of  such  portions  of  the  Records  as  may  appear  of  little 
intrinsic  value.  They  will  sometimes  serve  to  illustrate  the 
times  to  which  they  belong,  and,  in  some  cases,  will  prove 
abundantly  suggestive.  We  have  spent  much  time  and  pains 
in  preparing  the  notes,  w^hich  we  hope  will  be  found  to  con- 
tain some  agreeable  variety,  if  not  information.  The  Bio- 
graphical Sketches,  which  form  a  part  of  these  notes,  will 
give  a  novel  character  to  this  part  of  our  work ;  and  should 
this  feature  of  the  "  Records"  meet  with  acceptance,  it  is  not 
improbable  that  a  Work  of  a  similar  character,  bringing  down 
this  kind  of  Ecclesiastical  history  more  nearly  to  our  times, 
will  be  attempted.  There  are  materials  at  hand  for  a  conti- 
nuation of  this  part  of  our  Work.  Indeed,  we  ai3prehend 
that  some  disappointment  will  arise  from  the  absence,  in  this 
Work,  of  any  account  of  several  of  our  old  churches,  and  of 
many  fathers  and  brethren  whose  memory  will  long  be  cher- 
ished in  the  West.  We  have  meant  no  invidious  distinction 
by  their  exclusion,  and  can  only  plead  that  the  plan  of  our 
volume  did  not  seem  to  open  a  door  for  their  admission. 

In  the  records  now  published,  after  striking  out  as  above 
described,  we  have  thought  it  unnecessary  to  notice  the  suc- 
cessive days  of  each  meeting  of  the  Presbytery.  The  reader 
will,  of  course,  understand  that  even  the  brief  statements  of 
their  transactions,  as  now  condensed,  often  belong  to  suc- 
cessive days. 


KECORDS 


PEESBYTEllY  01-    REDSTONE. 

FROM    ITS    ORGANIZATION,    SEPTEMBER    19tH,    1781,    TILL    ITS 
DIVISION,    OCTOBER    IStH,    1793. 


"At  a  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  riiiladel- 
phia,  held  on  the  16th  of  May,  1781,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Joseph 
Smith,  John  M'Millan,  James  Power,  and  Thaddeus  Dod, 
having  requested  to  be  erected  into  a  separate  Presbytery, 
to  be  known  by  the  name  of  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone,(l) 

(1)  Redstone. — This  name  was  given  to  the  Presbytery  by  the  Synod, 
at  the  suggestion,  no  doubt,  of  the  ministers  who  sought  this  organiza- 
tion ;  not  because  the  term,  in  its  stricter  sense,  denoted  either  the  re- 
gion of  country  where  the  first  churches  were  organized,  or  the  most 
central  part  of  the  Pesbytery — for  that  was  farther  west, —  but  because 
the  expression  "  lledstone  Settlement,"  then,  and  for  many  years  after- 
wards, was  employed  to  denote  most  of  the  country,  whether  claimed 
by  Pennsylvania  or  Virginia,  which  lay  west  of  the  mountains.  It  do- 
rived  its  origin  from  the  name  of  a  creek  \Yliic'h  enters  the  ^lonongahela 
below  Brownsville.  This  place  was  long  known  by  tlie  name  of  "  Red- 
stone Old  Fort." 

"  The  hills  around  abounded  with  bituminous  coal ;  and  along  the 
water-courses,  where  the  earth  had  been  washed  off,  the  coal  was  left 
exposed.  The  inflammability  of  that  mineral  must  have  been  known  to 
the  inhabitants  at  that  early  period;  for,  where  those  exposures  hap- 
pened, fire  had  been  communicated,  and  an  ignition  of  tlio  coal  taken 
place:  and  probably  continued  to  burn  until  the  compactness,  and  so- 

(311) 


312  HISTORY    OF    PIGEON    CREEK    COXGREGATIOX. 

the  Synod  grant  their  request,  and  appoint  their  first  meeting 
to  be  held  at  Laurel  Ilill,  the  third  Wednesday  of  September 
next,  at  11  o'clock,  A.M." 


FIRST    MEETING. 

Wednesday,  Sept.  19th,  1781.(2)— The  Presbytery,  accord- 
ing to  appointment  of  the  Rev.  Synod  of  New  York  and 
Philadelphia,  met  at  Pigeon  Creek, (3)  as  the  circumstances 

lidity  of  the  body,  and  want  of  air,  caused  its  extinguishment.  These 
fires,  in  their  course,  came  in  contact  with  the  surrounding  earth  and 
stone,  and  gave  them  a  red  appearance ;  indeed,  so  completely  burned 
were  they,  that  when  pulverised,  they  have  been  substituted  in  painting 
for  Spanish  brown.  Many  of  the  Red  Banks  are  now  visible ;  the  most 
prominent  one,  perhaps,  is  that  near  the  junction  of  a  creek  with  the 
Monongahela  river,  a  short  distance  below  the  fortification,  and  which 
bears  the  name  oi  Redstone — doubtless  from  the  red  appearance  of  the 
bank  near  its  mouth.'' — Am.  Pioneer,  Vol.  II.,  p.  55. 

Our  State  geologist,  in  his  third  Annual  Report  on  the  Geological 
Survey  of  the  State  of  Pennsylania,  p.  97,  gives  a  difi'erent  account  of 
the  origin  of  the  ignition  of  coal  banks.  "  In  many  places,"  says  he, 
"  the  coal  of  the  roofs  has  been  precipitated  by  a  slipping  of  the  hill- 
side upon  the  lower  part  of  the  seam,  in  which  case  the  latter  has  often 
taken  fire  from  the  heat  evolved  by  the  chemical  decomposition.  This 
has  occurred  particularly  at  the  mouth  of  Redstone  Creek,  in  Fayette 
County,  where  the  overlaying  slate  has  been  baked  and  reddened  by  the 
combustion." 

(2)  The  first  meeting  of  the  Redstone  Presbytery  was  just  one  month 
before  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis  atYorktown.  This  important  event, 
which  was  soon  followed  by  a  treaty  of  peace  with  Great  Britain,  and 
the  final  establishment  of  the  independence  of  the  United  States,  did 
not,  as  might  have  been  expected,  bring  immediate  peace  and  quiet  to 
the  western  borders — as  will  appear  from  the  minutes  of  the  Presbytery 
presently. 

(3)  Pigeon  Creek.  —  This  congregation,  one  of  the  oldest  in  Wash- 
ington County,  in  union  with  Chartiers,  gave  a  call  to  the  Rev.  John 
M'Millan,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Donegal  Presbytery,  April  23d,  1776,  at 
which  time  he  was  ordained  with  a  view  to  his  settlement  among  them 
as  their  pastor — though  he  was  never  formally  installed.  Whether  this 
congregation  was  organised  previous  to  this  time  is  uncertain.  Dr. 
M'Anllan,  in  his  journal,  speaks  of  his  ordaining  elders,  baptizing  chil- 


HISTORY   OF    TKIEOX    CREEK    COXGREdATIuX.  313 

of  some  of  the  members,  by  reason  of  the  incursions  of  the 
savages,  rendered  it  impracticable  for  them  to  attend  at 
Laurel  IlilL  Ubi  post  preccs  sederunt,  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
John  McMillan,  James  Power,  and  Tliaddeus  Dod.  Elders — 
John  Xeil,  Demas  Lindley,  and  Patrick  Scott.  Absent — the 
Rev.  Joseph  Smith.  The  Presbytery  was  opened  by  Mr.  Dod, 
with  a  sermon  from  Job  xlii.  iJG,  The  Presbytery  then  pro- 
ceeded to  the  choice  of  Moderator  and  Clerk  ;  whereupon,  Mr. 
M'Millan  was  chosen  Moderator,  and  Mr.  Power  Clerk,  fur 
the  ensuing  year.  Application  was  made  in  behalf  of  Muddy 
Creek  and  the  South  Fork  of  Ten  Mile,  in  conjunction,  for 
supplies ;  and  also  for  liberty  to  apply  to  the  Presbytery  of 
Donegal.  Adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow  morning.  Concluded 
with  prayer. 

dren,  &c.,  among  them,  soon  after  he  was  ordained ;  but  not  expressly 
of  his  organizing  the  church.  As  he  received  "a  call"  from  the  two 
churches,  they  must  have  been  previously  organized,  unless  the  term 
"  call"  be  taken  in  a  looser  sense. 

In  this  church,  which  then  covered  a  very  wide  field,  were,  from  the 
first,  some  eminently  pious  people  who  had  emigrated  from  Nottingham, 
Chester  County;  and  here  the  Spirit  of  God  was  remarkably  poured  out 
several  times  during  Dr.  M'Millan's  ministry  among  them,  which  con- 
tinued till  near  the  close  of  the  last  century.  For  a  short  time,  the 
Rev.  Boyd  Mercer  labored  among  them.  lie  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev. 
Andrew  Gwin,  who  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  Pigeon  Creek 
and  Pike  Run  in  1800 ;  he  continued  their  pastor  till  October  7th,  1819. 
For  some  subsequent  years,  the  Rev.  Andrew  Wylie,  D.  D.,  acted  as 
stated  supply;  but  the  precise  times  when  this  relation  began  and  ended 
are  not  known.  On  April  17th,  1S32,  the  Rev.  Wm.  C.  Anderson,  D.  D., 
was  installed  pastor  of  this  church.  Upon  his  resignation  after  a  fev 
years  ('Tuly  15th,  183G,)  he  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  E.  S.  Graham, 
who  continued  the  pastor  until  his  death  in  1844.  He  was  succeeded 
by  the  Rev.  James  Sloan,  the  present  pastor,  December,  1844.  Number 
of  communicants  in  1854 — 370.  This  congregation  has  enjoyed  many 
revivals  of  rehgion,  and  is  still  one  of  the  strongest  and  most  flourishing 
churoiics  in  our  connection.  It  has  passed  through  many  severe  trials 
from  its  earliest  days.  The  old  Presbytery  of  Redstone  met  here  oflener 
than  anywhere  else ;  and  here,  by  the  remarkable  orderings  of  Divine 
Providence,  they  held  ihcirjirst  meeting. 


314      1T81  AND  1782  years  of  great  suffering. 

Thursday,  Sept.  20tli. — The  Presbytery  met,  according  to 
adjournment.  Ubi  post  preces  sederunt  qui  supra,  except  Mr. 
Neil.  Ordered,  that  the  minutes  of  the  last  session  be  now 
read.  The  appointment  for  supplies  deferred  till  our  next 
meetinf.  Adjourned  to  meet  at  Mount  Pleasant  the  first 
Wednesday  of  November,  at  12  o'clock.  Concluded  with 
prayer. 

MOUNT  PLEASANT,  Wednesday,  the  7th  of  November, 
1781. — A  sufficient  number  of  members  not  attending  to  form 
a  Presbytery  —  by  those  who  did  meet,  agreed  to  appoint  a 
meeting  at  Sewickly,  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  April  next. 

SEWICKLY,  Friday,  9th  of  April,  1782.  (4)  — A  sufficient 

(4)  The  years  1781  and  1782,  were  years  of  great  trial  and  hardship 
to  our  Withers  on  account  of  the  inroads  of  the  Indians.  "  The  sum- 
mer of  1782,"  says  a  writer  quoted  in  Day's  Historical  collections,  p. 
683,  "was  a  sorrowful  one  to  the  frontier  inhabitants.  The  blood  of 
many  a  family  had  sprinkled  their  own  fields."  About  a  month  before 
the  second  unavailing  attempt  to  hold  a  meeting  of  Presbytery  at  Se- 
wickly, occurred  the  dreadful  and  diabolical  massacre  of  the  Christian 
Indians  at  the  Moravian  settlement  on  the  Muskingum.  "  Here,  while 
peaceably  gathering  their  corn,  without  any  provocation,  and  without 
the  least  resistance,  more  than  ninety  of  these  unofi'ending  creatures 
were  barbarously  and  deliberately  murdered ;  not  by  hostile  Indians, 
but  by  more  than  savage  white  men,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Williamson."  —  History  of  "Western  Pennsylvania,  p.  204.  One  writer 
has  stated  a  circumstance,  which,  if  true,  explains,  but  does  not  justify, 
the  outrageous  conduct  of  our  people  at  the  Moravian  towns.  Articles 
of  clothing,  known  to  have  belonged  to  white  females  murdered  by  the 
savages,  were  found  in  possession  of  these  Moravian  Indians ;  and, 
though  they  protested  their  innocence  of  any  participation  in  the  mur- 
der, and  attempted  to  explain  hovv  they  became  possessed  of  these 
clothes,  it  was  altogether  unavailing ;  and  the  authority  of  the  officers 
to  exercise  any  control  over  our  men  was  completely  set  aside ;  and,  as 
if  a  spark  had  been  thrown  on  gunpowder,  indiscriminate  murder  was 
the  consequence.  This  dreadful  occurrence  raised  to  a  fearful  pitch  of 
exasperation  the  hostile  spirit  of  the  savages.  Then,  in  two  months, 
followed  Crawford's  expedition,  signal  defeat,  and  terrible  death.  "  The 
massacre  of  the  Moravian  Indians  was  the  prelude  to  other  scenes  of 
blood  and  attending  calamities.  Immediately  after  the  return  of  the 
expedition  to  the  Moravian  villages,  another  campaign  was  planned. 


DUNLAP'S    CHEEK    CONGREGATION.  315 

number  of  members  not  attending,  by  reason  of  the  incursions 
of  the  savages,  to  form  a  Presbytery,  those  who  did  meet, 
agreed  to  appoint  a  meeting  at  Dunlap's  Creek  the  third 
Tuesday  of  October. 

SECOND    MEETING. 

DUNLAP'S  CREEK,(5)  October  25th,  1782.— The  Presby- 
tery met,  according  to  adjournment.  Ubi,  post  preces,  sederunt, 
the  Rev.  Messrs.  Joseph  Smith,  John  M'Millan,  and  James 

and  the  command  given  to  Colonels  Williamson  and  Crawford.  These 
officers,  with  their  men,  penetrated  the  Indian  country  to  the  wilds  of 
Sandusky  ;  where  they  were  met,  and  utterly  defeated,  by  an  Indian 
force  composed  of  the  warriors  of  the  '  Six  Nations.'  Well  do  I  re- 
member when  the  dreadful  news  reached  the  neighborhood  where  I 
resided,  near  Washington,  Pennsylvania.  And  to  illustrate  the  effects, 
let  me  mention  that  three  widows,  all  residing  within  two  miles  of  where 
I  then  was,  and  thirteen  children,  lost  their  protectors.  This  may  afford 
evidence  of  the  wide-spread  desolation.  It  was  a  fearful  hour  of  tears, 
distraction,  and  momentary  despair.  Few  families  but  had  to  mourn  a 
relative."  —  William  Darby,  Esq.,  in  Nat.  Int.,  1851.  Then,  in  the 
course  of  that  summer,  Ilanna's  Town  was  burnt.  Frightful  murders 
were  committed  all  round  the  frontier.  No  wonder  the  Presbytery 
could  not  meet.  The  outskirts  of  every  congregation  in  the  Presby- 
tery, unless  it  might  be  Chartiers  and  Dunlap's  Creek,  were  in  imme- 
diate danger  during  all  this  time.  We  might,  perhaps,  also  have  ex- 
cepted the  Forks  of  Youghiogheny.  This  Mesopotamian  region,  from 
the  junction  of  the  Youghiogheny  and  Monongahela  to  the  Laurel  Hill, 
was  remarkably  exempt  from  the  Indian  raids.  The  savages  coming 
in  on  the  settlements,  either  from  the  Ohio  or  the  Allegheny  River, 
scarcely  ever  reached  those  rivers  ;  and  if  they  sometimes  did,  as  in  the 
case  of  the  Muddy  Creek  settlement,  they  are  not  known  to  have  crossed 
them.  Here  were  two  abortive  attempts  to  hold  a  meeting  of  Presby- 
tery, occasioning  more  than  an  entire  year  from  the  first  till  the  second 
meeting.  Truly,  the  walls  of  our  Zion  were  built  in  troublesome  times  ! 
(5)  Dunlap's  Creek.  —  This  congregation  embraced,  within  its  early 
indefinite  limits,  the  real  original  "Redstone  Settlement."  Some  Pres- 
byterian emigrants,  both  from  Easton,  Pennsylvania,  and  from  Virginia, 
settled  within  its  bounds  nearly,  if  not  quite  as  early,  as  1700.  When 
the  settlement  was  visited  by  Mr.  Finley  in  1705,  he  found  a  few  of  such 
families.     The  missionaries  sent  out  by  the  Synod  of  New  York  and 


316  SKETCH    OF    JAMES    EDGAR. 

Power.  Absent,  the  Rev.  Thaddeus  Dod,  (6)  Elders  James 
Edgar,  (7)  John  M'Dowell, .  and  Moses  Latta.     The  Presby- 

Philadelphia  probably  visited  them.  Messrs.  Power  and  M'Millan,  in 
their  first  visits  to  the  West  in  1774-5  and  6,  were  also  among  them, 
and  preached  to  them.  Perhaps  about  this  time  the  church  was  organ- 
ized. Dr.  Power  moved  out,  with  his  family,  and  settled  here  in  the 
fall  of  177G,  and  supplied  them  for  some  time,  though  he  did  not  assume 
the  pastoral  relation.  Their  first  pastor  was  the  Rev.  James  Dunlap, 
D.D.,  who  entered  upon  his  labors  among  them  in  1781,  and  was  in- 
stalled their  pastor  October  15th,  1782.  This  connection  was  dissolved 
April  22d,  1789.  They  were  supplied  for  a  short  time  by  the  Presby- 
tery, until,  in  1791,  the  Rev.  Jacob  Jennings  settled  among  them,  and, 
in  the  following  year,  accepted  a  call  from  them,  and  remained  their 
pastor  till  June,  1811 ;  when,  on  account  of  increased  infirmities,  he 
asked  and  obtained  a  dismission.  He  continued,  however,  to  preach 
occasionally  till  his  death,  February  17th,  1813.  The  Rev.  AVilliam 
Johnston  became  their  next  pastor,  in  connection  with  Brownsville,  and 
continued  in  this  relation  with  Dunlap's  Creek  till  December  3d,  1839, 
and  with  Brownsville  till  his  death,  December  31st,  1841.  The  Rev. 
Samuel  "Wilson,  D.D,,  received  and  accepted  a  call  from  Dunlap's  Creek 
early  in  1840,  and  was  installed  their  pastor  November  17th,  1840. 
This  congregation,  once  a  very  large  and  flourishing  church,  has  been 
much  weakened  and  reduced  by  emigration,  the  inroads  of  the  Cum- 
berlands,  and  the  organization  of  the  Brownsville  church,  within  the 
limits  of  its  original  boundary.  It  has  been  for  some  years,  however, 
fast  recoveriug  from  a  state  of  almost  complete  prostration,  and  bids 
fair  to  reach  again  its  pristine  vigor  and  prosperity.  Some  refreshing 
seasons  of  divine  grace  have  been  enjoyed  by  them  in  later  years,  re- 
minding them  of  days  of  which  their  fathers  told  them.  The  number 
of  communicants  —  in  connection  with  M'Clellandtown  —  last  re- 
ported, 201. 

(6)  Mr  Dod  was  absent.  Perhaps  his  congregation  was  both  in  deep 
distress  and  great  dismay  at  that  time.  For  a  company  from  his  con- 
gregation had  been  with  Colonel  Crawford  in  his  disastrous  expedition, 
and  only  a  portion  of  them  ever  returned.  —  Hist.  West.  Pa.,  p.  209. 
There  was  no  part  of  the  country  more  exposed  to  the  savages  than  the 
settlements  on  Ten-Mile. 

"  (7)  James  Edgar.  —  "Judge  Edgar  was  born  in  York  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  the  congregation  of  Slate  Ridge,  November  15th,  1744.  He 
for  the  first  time  sat  down  at  the  Lord's  table  in  the  church  of  Deer 
Creek,  about  14  miles  from  his  father's  house,  on  the  14th  of  Septem- 
ber, 17G0,  when  he  was  16  years  old.     His  father's  family  emigrated  to 


SKETCH    OF   JAMES    EDGAR.  317 

terj  was  opened  witli  a  sermon  from  Prov.  vili.  4,  by  Mr. 
Smith.  The  Presbytery  proceeded  to  the  choice  of  a  mode- 
rator and  clerk  for  the  ensuing  year.    Whereupon  Mr.  Power 

North  CaroHna ;  but  he  was  never  there,  except  on  a  visit  to  his  rela- 
tions, lie  removed  from  York  County  to  "Western  Pennsjlvania  in  the 
fall  of  1779."  — Letter  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Stockton. 

Judge  Brackenridge,  in  his  "  Incidents  of  the  "Western  Insurrection," 
where  he  proceeds  to  give  an  account  of  the  great  Brownsville  meeting, 
says,  "  I  proposed  that  we  should  get  James  Edgar,  a  member  of  the 
Committee  of  Twelve,  to  begin.  lie  was  an  associate  judge  of  the 
Court  of  Washington,  and  a  kind  of  llabbi  in  the  Presbyterian  churches 
in  the  western  country.  He  had  been  a  presbyter  or  elder  from  his 
youth ;  had  been  a  member  of  committees  in  the  early  period  of 
the  American  Revolution,  and  of  legislative  assemblies,  executive  and 
censorial  councils,  or  deliberative  conventions,  ever  since.  His  head 
was  prematurely  hoary  with  prayers  and  fastings,  and  religious  exer- 
cises ;  his  fi\ce  thin  and  puritanical,  like  the  figures  of  the  old  repub- 
licans in  the  long  parliament  in  England.  He  was  a  man  of  sense, 
and  not  destitute  of  eloquence.  It  was  agreed  that  he  should  open  the 
way  for  us.  It  was  proposed  to  him,  but  he  appeared  reluctant :  I  know 
not  on  what  principle.  It  was  imposed,  therefore,  on  Gallatin.  Edgar 
followed  me  with  great  earnestness,  and  with  the  solemnity  of  an  even- 
ing sermon,  in  a  discourse  of  great  length."  Dr.  Carnahan,  in  his 
Lecture  on  the  Whiskey  Insurrection  says,  "  This  truly  great  and  good 
man,  little  known  beyond  the  precincts  of  "Washington  County,  had 
removed  to  "Western  Pennsylvania,  at  an  early  period.  He  had  a  good 
English  education  ;  had  improved  his  mind  by  reading  and  reflection  ; 
so  that,  in  theological  and  political  knowledge,  he  was  superior  to  many 
professional  men.  He  had  as  clear  a  head,  and  as  pure  a  heart,  as  ever 
falls  to  the  lot  of  mortals ;  and  he  possessed  an  eloquence  which, 
although  not  polished,  was  convincing  and  persuasive.  Yet  he  lived 
in  retirement  on  his  farm,  except  when  the  voice  of  his  neighbors  called 
him  forth  to  serve  the  church  or  the  state.  He  was  a  ruling  elder  in 
the  Presbyterian  church,  and  one  of  the  associate  Judges  of  AVashing- 
ton  County,  &c."  —  "I  recollect  to  have  heard  him  at  Buffalo  on  Mon- 
day, after  a  sacramental  occasion,  address  a  congregation  of  at  least  two 
thousand  people,  on  the  subject  of  the  Insurrection,  with  a  clearness 
of  argument,  and  a  solemnity  of  manner,  and  a  tenderness  of  Chris- 
tian eloquence,  which  reached  the  understanding  and  penetrated  the 
heart  of  every  hearer.  The  consequence  was,  that  very  few  in  his  neigh- 
borhood were  concerned  in  the  lawless  riots." 

Such  was  one  of  the  men  that  the  Rev.  Joseph  Smith  was  greatly 


318  SKETCH    OF    OHIO    COURT-HOUSE. 

was  chosen  moderator,  and  Mr.  M'Millan  clerk.  Ordered, 
that  the  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  of  Presbytery  be  now 
read.  Mr.  Smith's  reasons  for  not  attending  our  last  meeting 
are  sustained.  The  Rev.  James  Dunlap,  formerly  a  member 
of  the  Newcastle  Presbytery,  having  accepted  a  call  in  our 
bounds,  now  applies  to  be  admitted  as  a  member  of  this 
Presbytery ;  and  upon  producing  sufficient  testimonials,  and 
a  dismission  from  that  Presbytery,  is  accordingly  received, 
and  takes  his  seat  as  a  member  of  this.  His  elder  is  Robert 
Adams.  Adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow  morning  at  nine 
o'clock.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

Wednesday,  the  16th. — The  Presbytery  met,  according  to 
adjournment.  Ubi  post  preces,  sederunt  qui  supra.  Ordered 
that  the  minutes  of  the  last  session  be  now  read.  A  suppli- 
cation for  supplies,  from  Tyrone  congregation,  was  brought 
in  and  read.  An  application  was  made  in  behalf  of  Muddy 
Creek,  for  supplies.  Mr.  Smith  appointed  to  supply,  &c. 
[Here  follows  a  list  of  appointments  for  supplies,  to  the 
several    members.  There  was  one  appointment  at  Ohio 

Court-House.(8)]  Upon  motion  being  made,  the  Presbytery 
unanimously  agreed  that  they  would,  in  no  case  whatever, 
marry  any  persons  by  license,  but  would  adhere  to  the  rules 
laid   down   in   the  Westminster   Directory.  (9)     Application 

instrumental  in  training  for  the  church,  for  his  country,  and  for  heaven. 
He  was  nine  times  a  member  of  the  old  Presbytery. 

(8)  Ohio  Court-House. — This  place  was  some  miles  west  of  the  pre- 
sent town  of  Washington,  and  was  a  seat  of  justice  under  the  govern- 
ment of  Virginia — as  all  Washington  County,  together  with  Fayette  and 
Greene,  and  a  large  portion  of  Allegheny  and  Westmoreland  Counties, 
were  claimed  by  that  State,  and  considered  a  part  of  Augusta  County, 
Virginia.  It  is  probable  that  not  more  than  two  or  three  families  re- 
sided there,  or  in  the  immediate  vicinity.  This  is  the  first  and  last 
appointment  for  a  supply  at  that  place.     (See  Note  on  Short  Creek.) 

(9)  The  following  passage  in  the  old  Westminster  Directory,  respect- 
ing marriage,  is,  no  doubt,  referred  to : 

"Before  the  solemnizing  of  marriage  between  any  persons,  their  pur- 
pose of  marriage  shall  be  published  by  the  minister  three  several  Sal> 
bath-days,  in  the  congregation,  at  tJie  place  or  places  of  their  most  usual 


TROUBLES    OF    MR.    DUNLAP.  olO 

being  made  by  tlie  united  congregation  of  the  Forks  of 
Youghioghcn}',  for  liberty  to  present  a  call  to  the  Rev.  James 
Finley,  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  Castle  —  the 
Presbytery  grant  their  request,  and  order  the  clerk  to  fur- 
nish them  -with  a  copy  of  this  minute. 

John  Matson  appeared  before  Presbytery  and  exhibited 
the  follo^Ying  charges  against  the  Rev.  James  Dunlap.  1. 
That  Mr.  Dunlap  charged  him  with  coming  to  his  house  to 
take  the  advantaf!;e  of,  and  wran^rle  with  him.  2.  That  Mr. 
Dunlap  accused  him  with  unchristian  conduct  towards  him. 
3.  That  Mr.  Dunlap  denied  him  ordination  as  a  ruling  elder ; 
and,  4,  For  not  letting  the  reasons  why  he  did  so  be  known  to 
the  congregation.  Mr.  Dunlap  acknowledges  that  he  did  say 
that  Mr.  Matson  treated  him  in  an  unchristian  manner,  and 
gives  as  the  reason  why  he  said  so,  that  though  he  had  made 
some  concessions,  and  acknowledged  that  he  had  been  too 
rash  with  respect  to  the  baptising  of  a  certain  Audley  Rea's 
child,  with  which  Mr.  Matson  declared  himself  satisfied,  yet 
he  still  continued  to  mention  that  piece  of  inadvertence  to 
others ;  in  such  a  manner  as  had  a  tendency  to  hurt  his  char- 
acter as  a  gospel  minister.  In  support  of  which  Mr.  Dunlap 
produces  the  following  witnesses  :  Caleb  Wingate  being  called 
upon  to  declare  the  truth,  says  that  Mr.  Matson  told  him  that 
Mr.  jSTorris  informed  Mr.  Dunlap  of  Audley  Rea's  drinking 

and  constant  abode  respectively.  And  of  this  publication  the  minister 
who  is  to  join  them  in  marriage  shall  have  sufficient  testimon}^  before 
he  proceeds  to  solemnize  the  marriage.  Before  that  pubHcation  of  such 
their  marriage,  (if  the  parties  be  under  age,)  the  consent  of  the  parents, 
or  others  under  whose  power  they  are,  (in  case  the  parents  are  dead,) 
is  to  be  made  known  to  the  church  officers  of  that  congregation — to  be 
recorded.'' 

We  know  not  whether,  in  the  times  of  our  fathers,  a  publication  of  a 
purpose  of  marriage  was  usually  made  for  three  successive  Sabbaths. 
But  once  sufficed,  we  know,  at  a  somewhat  later  period ;  and  this  cus- 
tom continued  for  a  number  of  years,  though  now  altogether  laid  aside, 
in  our  branch  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  It  is  said  to  be  still  ob- 
served in  the  Secession  and  Covenanting  bodies — the  latter  rigidly  ad 
hering  to  the  old  rule  of  publishing  for  three  successive  Sabbaths. 


820  JOHN  matson's  charges  against  niM. 

and  swearing,  previous  to  his  baptising  his  child ;  and  that  he 
spoke  In  such  a  manner  as  showed  him  to  be  still  dissatisfied, 
after  acknowledgments  made,  with  which  he  professed  himself 
satisfied  ;  and  expressed  himself  in  such  a  manner  as  had  a  ten- 
dency to  hurt  Mr.  Dunlap's  usefulness  as  a  minister  of  the  gos- 
pel. Isaac  Sterritt,  being  solemnly  called  upon  to  declare  the 
truth,  says,  that  at  a  raising  at  Mr.  Tate's,  Mr.  Matson  said 
that  Mr.  Dunlap  baptised  Audley  Rea's  child,  and  would  not 
baptise  others  in  like  circumstances.  He  said  also  that  Mr. 
Dunlap  had  confessed  his  fault  and  afterwards  denied  It : 
that  Mr.  Norris  had  informed  him  of  Mr.  Audley  Rea's 
character.  That  Mr.  Norris  had  made  it  appear  at  another 
time  that  he  had  informed  him ;  and  that  Mr.  Dunlap  had 
nothing  to  say  in  his  own  defence.  Mr.  Matson  acknowledges 
that  he  told  Mr.  Wingate  and  Mr.  Sterrit  these  things  which 
they  have  declared,  and  gives  this  as  his  reason  for  so  doing, 
viz :  That  he  heard  Mr.  Dunlap  saying,  that  he  looked  upon 
It  that  he  had  done  no  wrong  in  baptising  Audley  Rea's 
child,  after  he  had  made  the  forementloned  concession.  The 
Presbytery,  after  fully  hearing  both  parties,  with  respect  to 
the  first  charge,  do  judge  that  Mr.  Dunlap  had  sufficient 
grounds  for  saying  what  he  did,  inasmuch  of  John  Matson 
coming  to  Mr.  Dunlap's,  in  company  with  some  others,  joined 
with  them  in  wrangling  with,  and  treating  him  in  a  very  un- 
becoming and  disorderly  manner.  With  respect  to  the  second 
charge,  the  Presbytery  judge  that  Mr.  Dunlap  was  treated  in 
an  unchristian  manner  by  John  Matson ;  and  at  the  same 
time  could  have  wished  that  Mr.  Dunlap  had  been  more 
cautious  in  the  admission  of  Audley  Rea.  With  respect  to 
the  two  last  charges,  the  Presbytery  judge  that  Mr.  Dunlap 
had  sufficient  occasion  for  not  ordaining  Mr.  Matson,  inas- 
much as  it  had  been  made  to  appear  before  them  that  objec- 
tions had  been  laid  against  him,  by  a  member  of  the  con- 
gregation ;  and  that  he  was  justifiable  in  not  publishing  the 
reasons  to  the  congregation.  Upon  the  whole,  the  Presbytery 
cannot   but   highly    disapprove    of    Mr.    Matson's    conduct. 


THE  LAW  ABOUT  MARRIAGES.  321 

especially  at  Mr.  Dunlap's  house ;  and  do  judge  that  he  sub- 
mit to  an  admonition  from  the  Moderator.  To  this  judgment 
the  parties  submitted,  and  Mr.  Matson  "was  accordingly  ad- 
monished by  the  Moderator.  Adjourned  to  meet  at  Pigeon 
creek,  the  second  Tuesday  of  March  next,  at  12  o'clock. 
Concluded  with  prayer. 

THIRD   MEETING. 

PIGEON  CREEK,  Tuesday,  11th  of  March,  1783.— The 
Presbytery  met  according  to  adjournment.  Ubi  post  preces 
sederunt,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Joseph  Smith,  &c.  The  Presbytery 
was  opened  by  Mr.  Dunlap,  from  John  iii.,  3. 

The  Rev.  James  Finley,  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of 
New  Castle,  being  present  and  invited,  sits  as  a  correspondent. 
The  Rev.  John  Clark,  formerly  a  member  of  New  Castle 
Presbytery,  now  makes  application  to  be  admitted  as  a  mem- 
ber of  this.  Upon  his  producing  sufficient  testimonials  and 
his  dismission  from  that  Presbytery,  he  is  accordingly  received 
and  takes  his  place  as  a  member  of  this.  The  Presbytery 
find  that  the  members  have  punctually  fulfilled  their  appoint- 
ments, except  Mr.  Dunlap,  in  one  instance,  whose  reasons  for 
the  omission  are  sustained. 

Upon  motion,  resolved,  that  magistrates  belonging  to  our 
community,  marrying  any  person  in  a  way  contrary  to  the 
prescriptions  of  the  law  respecting  marriages,  and  all  persons 
belonging  to  us,  obtaining  marriage  either  by  magistrates  or 
ministers  contrary  to  the  law,  shall  be  esteemed  censurable 
by  the  church.  (10)    Ordered  that  this,  and  the  minute  of  the 

(10)  The  law  respecting  marriages,  (see  "La-ws  of  Pennsylvania," 
Vol.  I.,  p.  21.  Purdon's  Digest,  p.  5G8,)  required  "that  all  marriages 
not  forbidden  by  the  law  of  God  be  encouraged ;  but  the  parents  or 
guardians  shall,  if  conveniently  they  can,  be  first  consulted  with,  and 
the  party's  clearness  of  all  engagements,  signified  by  a  certificate  from 
some  credible  person  where  they  have  lived,  or  do  live,  produced  to  such 
religious  society  to  which  they  relate,  or  to  some  justice  of  the  peace 
of  the  county,  where  the  parties  do  reside  or  dwell,  one  month  before 
21 


322  IMPORTANT    PROCEEDINGS   ABOUT 

last  meeting  of  Presbytery,  respecting  marriage,  be  read  by 
the  members  in  their  congregations  and  in  the  vacancies 
under  our  care. 

As  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  taking  into 
consideration  the  evil  consequences  of  congregations  suffering 
arrearages  to  be  long  unsettled  between  them  and  their 
ministers,  did  enjoin  it  upon  them  to  produce  a  settlement 
every  year  to  their  respective  Presbyteries:  (11)  therefore, 

solemnization  thereof;  the  which  said  pubhcation,  before  it  be  so  affixed 
as  aforesaid,  shall  be  brought  before  one  or  more  justices  of  the  peace 
in  the  respective  counties  to  which  they  respectively  belong;  which 
justice  shall  subscribe  the  said  publication,  witnessing  the  time  of  such 
declaration  and  date  of  said  publication,  so  to  be  affirmed  as  aforesaid. 
And  that  all  marriages  shall  be  solemnized  by  taking  each  other  for 
husband  and  wife,  before  twelve  sufficient  witnesses ;  and  the  certificate 
of  their  marriage  under  the  hands  of  the  parties  and  witnesses,  at  least 
twelve,  and  one  of  them  a  justice  of  the  peace,  shall  be  brought  to  the 
register  of  the  county  where  they  are  married,  and  registered  in  his 
office,  &c.  Provided  that  this  law  shall  not  extend  to  any  who  shall 
marry  or  be  married,  in  the  religious  society  to  which  they  belong,  so 
as  notice  shall  be  given  by  either  of  the  parties  to  the  parents,  masters, 
mistresses,  or  guardians,  one  full  month,  at  least,  before  any  such  mar- 
riage be  solemnized."  But  that  "  no  license  or  dispensation  shall  hinder 
or  obstruct  the  force  or  operation  of  this  act,  in  respect  of  notice  to  be 
given  to  parents,  masters,  mistresses,  or  guardians,  as  aforesaid.'^ 

(11)  In  the  course  thus  early  adopted,  so  wise  and  salutary — of  re- 
quiring churches  to  report  annual  settlements,  they  refer  to  the  authority 
of  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  as  sanctioning  and  re- 
quiring this  measure.  It  appears  that  so  long  ago  as  17G5,  a  number 
of  elders  and  gentlemen,  having  met  in  Philadelphia,  had  deliberated 
upon  several  important  measures  necessary  for  the  interests  of  the 
churches,  touching  matters  and  points  that  could  more  properly  be 
taken  up  by  them  than  by  the  ministers.  The  result  was,  that  they 
laid  their  suggestions  in  the  form  of  a  petition,  before  the  Synod.  It 
was  laid  over  till  the  following  year.  (Printed  Kecords,  350.)  At  the 
next  meeting,  in  1766,  this  Address  was  committed  to  a  large  com- 
mittee, to  prepare,  by  the  next  day,  an  overture  on  the  subject,  (p.  356.) 
The  result  was  the  adoption  of  the  following  :  "  The  Synod  taking  into 
their  serious  consideration  several  matters,  suggested  to  them  in  an 
address  and  representation  from  a  number  of  lay-elders,  and  others  of 


CONGREGATIONAL    SETTLEMENTS.  323 

in  obedience  to  this  act  of  Synod,  this  Presbytery  does 
require  their  several  members,  -with  their  respective  congre- 
gations, to  produce  such  settlements  to  us  at  our  next  meeting; 
and  that  the  congregations  be  required  to  answer  such  ques- 
tions put  to  them  respecting  the  diligence  and  care  of  their 
respective  pastors.  Adjourned  to  meet  at  Mount  Pleasant, 
on  the  third  Tuesday  of  October  next.  Concluded  with 
prayer. 

FOURTH    MEETING. 

MOUNT  PLEASANT  (12),  Tuesday,  Oct.  21st,  1783.— 

the  Presbyterian  denomination,  occasionally  assembled  at  Philadelphia, 
do,  after  mature  deliberation,  look  upon  said  affairs  to  be  of  much  im- 
portance and  deserving  the  strictest  regard  as  very  useful  and  salutary 
measures,  whereby  many  pernicious  evils  may  be  prevented  and  various 
great  advantages  procured,"  &c. ;  then  recommend  their  adoption  by 
tRe  Presbyteries  and  congregations,  &c. :  "  and  that  all  proper  pains  be 
taken  by  each  Presbytery  to  have  said  measures  put  in  execution,  viz. : 
1st.  That  in  every  congregation  a  committee  be  appointed,  who  shall, 
twice  in  every  year,  collect  the  minister's  stipend,  and  lay  his  receipts 
before  the  Presbytery  preceding  the  Synod ;  and  at  the  same  time  that 
the  ministers  give  an  account  of  their  diligence  in  visiting  and  cate- 
chising their  people."  Then  follovsr  seven  other  matters,  recommended, 
&c.  The  above  shows  the  origin  of  that  wise  measure,  still  pursued  in 
our  Presbyteries  —  that  it  was  not  a  measure  which  began  with  the 
ministers,  but  with  the  people.  (Printed  Records,  p.  358.) 

(12)  Mount  Pleasant.— This  is  one  of  the  oldest  churches  in  the 
West.  It  is  near  two  miles  from  a  village  of  the  same  name  in  West- 
moreland County ;  but  which  gave  the  name  to  the  other,  we  cannot 
tell.  The  church  is  perhaps  older  than  the  town,  and  was  probably 
organized  as  early  as  1776,  when  Dr.  Power  removed  to  the  western 
country.  It  was  supplied  by  him  from  that  period  till  the  Spring  of 
1779,  when  he  became  the  pastor  of  the  united  congregations  of  Mount 
Pleasant  and  Sewickly.  On  the  22d  of  August,  1787,  he  was  dismissed 
from  Sewickly,  and  continued  the  pastor  of  Mount  Pleasant  till  April 
15th,  1817,  when,  from  age  and  infirmity,  he  resigned  this  charge.  It 
continued  vacant  till  April  18th,  1821,  when  the  Rev.  A.  0.  Patterson, 
D.  P.,  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the  united  congregations 
of  Sewickly  and  Mount  Pleasant.  This  relation  continued  till  October 
8th,  1834. 


324  NUMEROUS    SUPPLIES   APPOINTED. 

The  Presbytery  met  according  to  adjournment.  Ubi  post 
preces  sederunt,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Joseph  Smith,  &c.  The 
Presbytery  was  opened  with  a  sermon  on  Isaiah  Ixiii.  1,  by 
Mr.  Smith.  A  supplication  for  supplies  from  Unity  congre- 
gation, also  for  liberty  to  apply  to  Donegal  Presbytery  for 
supplies,  was  brought  in  and  read.  The  Presbytery  pro- 
ceeded to  make  out  supplies.  The  Presbytery  find  that  the 
members  present  have  fulfilled  their  appointments,  except 
Mr.  Power,  whose  reasons  are  sustained.  Mr.  Smith,  agree- 
ably to  the  requisitions  of  Presbytery  at  their  last  meeting, 
produces  a  settlement  with  the  congregation  of  Cross  Creek, 
whereby  it  appears  that  there  will  be  due  to  him  from  said 
congregation,  against  the  1st  of  December  next,  the  just  and 
full  sum  of  £113  5s  Sd.  Upon  inquiry,  it  was  found  that 
settlements  have  not  been  made  by  congregations  with  their 
respective  pastors,  according  to  the  requirement  made  at  our 
last  meeting,  except  between  Mr.  Smith  and  Cross  Creek ;  it 

Soon  after,  the  Rev.  S.  Montgomery  became  its  pastor,  April,  1836. 
On  May  19th,  1840,  the  congregation  was  unhappily  divided,  a  part  ad- 
hering to  the  New  School  division.  In  this  weakened  and  crippled 
state  of  the  congregation,  it  formed  a  connection  with  Greenshurg. 
The  Rev.  James  J.  Brownson  became  their  pastor  Xovemher  2oth,  1841, 
and  was  dismissed  in  January,  1849.  In  1849,  these  congregations 
united  in  a  call  to  the  Rev.  Wm.  D.  Moore,  who  became  their  pastor 
soon  after.  In  October,  1851,  Mr.  Moore  resigned  the  pastoral  charge 
of  Mount  Pleasant.  On  the  14th  of.  April,  1852,  the  Rev.  Wm.  W. 
M'Lain  received  and  accepted  a  call  from  them,  and  was  installed  their 
pastor  soon  after,  in  1852. 

This  church  shared  largely  in  the  early  revivals  of  the  West ;  and 
though,  towards  the  close  of  Dr.  Power's  ministry  among  them,  the 
church  was  alD:iost  threatened  with  extinction,  principally  on  account 
of  emigration,  it  again  greatly  revived  and  prospered  during  the  minis- 
try of  Dr.  Patterson.  Could  the  breach  which  exists  among  them  be 
healed,  and  could  they  all  come  together  again  with  one  heart  and  one 
mind,  the  times  of  which  our  fathers  have  told  us  might  yet  return  to 
that  church,  so  intimately  associated  with  the  early  history  of  Redstone 
Presbytery,  and  having  so  many  precious  ties  with  the  church  in  glory. 
The  number  of  communicants  in  1854 — 89. 


ROBERT    HALL  S    COMPLAINT.  325 

is  therefore  enjoined  upon  them  to  have  such  settlements 
made,  and  to  produce  them  at  our  next  meeting.  Upon  in- 
quiry, it  was  found  that  the  congregations  were  satisfied  Avith 
the  care  and  diligence  of  their  respective  pastors. 

A  reference  was  brought  in  from  the  session  of  Mount 
Pleasant,  respecting  a  complaint  of  George  Latimer  against 
Deborah  Ross,  which  is  as  follows  :  That  Deborah  Ross  has 
falsely  reported  that  she  left  her  house  sundry  times  for  fear 
of  him.  The  Presbytery,  after  duly  considering  said  com- 
plaint, and  hearing  all  that  the  parties  had  to  offer,  do  judge 
that  said  complaint  is  without  any  just  foundation;  inasmuch 
as  it  appears  that  George  Latimer  stands  convicted  of  immo- 
dest behavior  towards  Deborah  Ross,  for  which  he  ought  to 
submit  to  an  admonition  before  the  session ;  and  that  for  re- 
moving the  scandal,  his  compliance  be  made  known  to  the 
congregation.  To  which  judgment,  George  Latimer  refuses 
to  submit. 

Robert  Hall  appeared  before  Presbytery,  and  exhibited  the 
following  complaint  against  the  session  of  Mount  Pleasant 
congregation,  viz. :  "  To  the  Moderator  and  remanent  mem- 
bers of  Redstone  Presbytery,  now  sitting  at  Mount  Pleasant 
meeting-house.  The  complaint  and  application  of  Robert 
Hall  humbly  showeth,  that  whereas  I,  your  complainant,  upon 
application  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Power  for  a  continuation  of  the 
common  privileges  of  a  regular  church  member,  have  been 
refused  the  same ;  and  afterwards  to  several  members  of  the 
session,  but  was  still  kept  back ;  upon  which  I  made  applica- 
tion to  the  Rev.  Moderator  and  other  members  of  session  in 
writing :  but  was  still  denied,  without  even  satisfying  me  with 
anything  that  appeared  like  reason  for  my  being  so  refused. 
I,  therefore,  your  complainant,  do  lay  the  case  before  your 
wisdoms,  that  you  may  judge  whether  I  am  justly  debarred 
from  privileges  or  not ;  as  I  do  apprehend  that  I  neither  said 
nor  did  anything  that  might  be  a  bar  in  my  way,  in  that 
respect.  Therefore,  upon  examining  into  the  case,  your 
wisdoms  will  be  able  to  judge  whether  I  have  cause  of  com- 


326  HISTORY   OF   BUFFALO    CONGREGATION. 

plaint  or  not :  unto  whose  judgment  I  do  humbly  appeal. — 
Robert  Hall."  The  Presbytery,  after  hearing  the  parties, 
do  judge,  that  though  Mr.  Ilall  had  ground  of  uneasiness, 
inasmuch  as  he  was  really  a  sufferer,  yet  Mr.  Power  was  not 
to  be  blamed,  as  it  was  entirely  through  the  fault  of  the  con- 
gregation that  he  failed  in  performing  his  contract.  There- 
fore, though  the  Presbytery  could  have  wished  that  Mr.  Hall 
had  not  expressed  himself  so  rashly,  in  some  instances,  yet 
everything  considered,  we  are  of  opinion  that  he  may  be  ad- 
mitted to  church  privileges  without  making  any  particular 
concessions.  Upon  new  light  being  offered,  the  Presbytery 
further  judge  that  Mr.  Hall  profess  his  sorrow  for  using  some 
expressions  reflecting  upon  Mr.  Power's  character.  To  this 
judgment,  Mr.  Hall  refuses  to  submit.  Adjourned  to  meet 
at  Buffalo,  the  second  Tuesday  of  April  next.  Concluded 
with  prayer. 

FIFTH   MEETING. 

BUFFALO,  (13)  Tuesday,  13th  of  April,  1784.— The 
Presbytery  met  according  to  adjournment,  ubi  post  preces 
sederunt,  the  Bev.  Messrs.  John  Clark,  &c.     The  Presbytery 

(13)  Buffalo. — It  is  not  known  when  this  congregation  organized. 
It  is  probable  it  was  in  1779,  the  year  in  which  Cross  Creek  was  organ- 
ized. (See  App.  to  Life  of  Macurdy,  Marquis.)  The  Pvev.  Joseph  Smith 
became  its  pastor  in  1780,  in  connection  with  the  latter  place,  and  con- 
tinued to  labor  among  them  till  his  death,  which  occurred  April  19th, 
1792.  During  this  period  of  12  years,  the  church  was  favored  with  an 
almost  constant  revival  of  religion,  though,  at  different  times,  greatly 
harassed  by  the  incursions  of  the  savages.  After  Mr.  Smith's  death, 
the  congregation  was  supplied,  for  a  short  time,  by  the  Presbytery,  till 
the  Rev.  Thomas  Marquis,  June  13th,  1794,  becoming  pastor  of  Cross 
Creek,  acted  as  a  stated  supply  for  Buffalo,  until  this  church  gave  a  call 
to  the  Bev.  John  Anderson,  who  was  installed  their  pastor  March  9th, 
1802.  There  is  some  reason  to  believe,  however,  that  Dr.  Anderson  acted 
as  stated  supply  from  the  spring  of  1800.  He  ministered  to  this  people 
with  much  fidelity  and  success,  till  June  18th,  1833,  when,  on  account 
of  declining  health,  and  at  his  own  request,  the  pastoral  relation  was 
dissolved.     He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  John  Eagleson,  its  present 


EARLY    HISTORY    OF    PITTSBURG.  327 

was  opened  by  Mr.  Dod,  with  a  sermon  from  John,  ix,  85. 
The  Stated  Clerk  being  absent,  Mr.  Dod  was  chosen  Clerk 
pro  tem. 

The  Presbytery  proceeded  to  appoint  supplies  to  such 
places  as  have  made  application,  and  amongst  others,  Pitts- 
burg. (14) 

pastor,  December  23d,  1834.  The  number  of  communicants  reported 
in  1854  was  274.  This  church  has  witnessed  and  enjoyed  some  of  the 
most  remarkable  effusions  of  the  Holy  Spirit  that  have  ever  been  expe- 
rienced in  our  "Western  country.  It  was  here  that  the  ever  memorable 
meeting,  called  "  the  great  Buffalo  Sacrament,"  took  place,  commencing 
on  the  13th  of  November,  1802.  Many  brought  their  wagons,  provisions 
and  tents  from  a  considerable  distance.  Fifteen  ministers  were  present. 
About  9G0  persons  sat  down  to  the  Lord's  table  on  the  Sabbath.  Many 
hundreds  of  persons,  of  both  sexes,  and  all  ages,  were  brought  under 
deep  conviction  of  their  sins.  Multitudes,  it  is  believed,  were  hopefully 
converted  to  God.  The  meeting  was  continued  till  Tuesday  evening. 
It  was  the  most  remarkable  scene  that  had  ever  before,  or  has  ever 
since,  been  witnessed  by  either  ministers  or  people  who  were  then  pre- 
sent. This  church  has  given  some  of  the  best  materials  for  the  forma- 
tion or  strengthening  of  new  churches  through  the  West,  and  has  fur- 
nished several  eminent  ministers  of  the  gospel. 

(14)  Pittsburg. — The  first  notice  of  this  place.  It  appears  that  Mr 
Smith  was  the  first  member  of  the  Presbytery  sent  to  preach  the  gospel 
there,  on  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  August,  1784.  The  Rev.  Messrs,  Beatty 
and  Duffield  had  been  there  in  17CG,  during  their  missionary  tour,  in 
pursuance  of  an  appointment  by  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadel- 
phia, and  found  the  people  living,  as  Mr.  Beatty  states  in  his  Journal, 
"  in  some  kind  of  a  town."  Mr.  Arthur  Lee,  a  distinguished  Virginian, 
visited  that  place  a  few  months  after  this  visit  of  Mr.  Smith's,  and  gave 
this  account  of  the  place :  "  Pittsburg  is  inhabited  almost  entirely  by 
Scots  and  Irish,  who  live  in  paltry  log-houses,  and  are  as  dirty  as  in  the 
north  of  Ireland,  or  even  Scotland,  [We  fear  that,  like  Dr.  Samuel 
Johnson,  Lee  hated  the  Scotch,]  There  is  a  great  deal  of  small  trade 
carried  on,  the  goods  being  brought,  at  the  vast  expense  of  45  shillings 
per  cwt.,  from  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore.  They  take,  in  the  shops, 
money,  wheat,  flour  and  skins.  There  are,  in  the  town,  four  attorneys, 
two  doctors,  and  not  a  priest  of  any  persuasion,  nor  cJiurch,  nor  chapel; 
so  that  they  are  likely  to  be  damned  without  the  benefit  of  clergy.  The 
river  encroaches  fast  upon  the  town,  and  to  such  a  degree,  that  a  gen- 
tleman told  me  that  the  Allegheny  had,  within  30  years  of  his  memory, 


328  EARLY   HISTORY   OF    PITTSBURG. 

The  Presbytery  proceeded  to  inquire  -with  regard  to  the 
several  congregations'  settlements  with  their  respective  minis- 
ters. Mr.  Clark  produced  accounts,  whereby  it  appears  that 
there  was  due  to  him,  on  the  1st  of  September  last,  from  the 
Eastern  division  of  Peters'  Creek  congregation  (Lebanon),  the 
just  and  full  sum  of  ^40  3s.  9-Jd.  —  and  from  the  Western 
division  (Bethel),  on  the  1st  of  October  last,  <£18  14s.  9Jd. 
Mr.  M'Millan  produced  accounts,  whereby  it  appears  that 
there  was  due  to  him,  from  Chartiers  congregation,  of  his 
last  year's  stipend,  on  the  1st  of  February  last,  the  just  and 
full  sum  of  £4:2  7s.  6d. ;  and  from  Pigeon's  Creek  congrega- 
tion, <£40  17s.  3d.  of  the  last  year's  stipend,  which  became 
due  November  1st,  1783.  The  three  preceding  years  remain 
unsettled  in  both  congregations.  Mr.  Smith  produced  a  set- 
tlement between  him  and  the  congregation  of  Buffalo,  whereby 
it  appears  that  there  was  due  to  him,  from  said  congrega- 

carried  away  100  yards.  The  place,  I  believe,  will  never  be  very  consider- 
able." (Hist,  of  Pitts,  p.  186.)  When  Washington  was  there,  31  years 
before,  the  ground  was  then  covered  with  a  dense  forest.  When  he  was 
there  again,  in  1770,  Pittsburg  then  contained  20  houses,  and  perhaps 
120  inhabitants.  Virginia  then  claimed  it,  and  all  the  country  thence 
to  the  Laurel  Hill.  When  Mr.  Smith  first  carried  the  gospel  there,  as 
the  messenger  of  the  Redstone  Presbytery,  it  is  probable  the  number  of 
inhabitants  did  not  exceed  400.  For,  two  years  afterwards,  Judge 
H.  H.  Brackenridge,  writing  of  the  place,  in  the  first  number  of  the 
Pittsburg  Gazette,  published  in  1786,  says,  "  This  town  consists,  at  pre- 
sent, of  about  100  dwelling-houses."  "  Could  Arthur  Lee,"  says  the 
historian  of  Pittsburg,  "now  revisit  this  point,  he  would  probably  be 
surprised  to  see  the  change  already  produced  there ;  and  would  not  be 
very  much  gratified  by  the  comparison  of  Pittsburg  with  Richmond." 
The  country  across  the  Allegheny  river,  opposite  Pittsburg,  when  Mr. 
Smith  was  there,  was  still  owned  by  the  Indians.  The  present  site  of 
Allegheny  city  was  then  even  without  an  Indian  wigwam,  and  was  the 
occasional  resort  of  the  Pittsburg  boys  in  pursuit  of  rabbits,  opossums, 
&c.  There  are  now  six  Presbyterian  churches  here,  numbering  more, 
perhaps,  than  1300  communicants ;  and  numerous  Methodist,  Baptist 
and  other  churches.  Sketches  of  the  history  of  the  Presbyterian  churches 
of  Pittsburg  may  be  given  hereafter. 


HISTORY    OF    CIIARTIERS    CONGREGATION.  329 

tion,  on  the  1st  of  December  last,  the  just  and  full  sum  of 
£39  2s.  2d. 

Henry  Taylor  brought  in  an  appeal  from  the  judgment  of 
the  session  of  Chartiers  congregation,  with  respect  to  hi3 
having  and  encouraging  a  ijrojniseuous  dance  at  his  house. 
The  Presbyter}^,  after  hearing  both  parties,  upon  mature  de- 
liberation, considering  the  smallness  of  the  number  present, 
[at  the  meeting  of  Presbytery,]  and  the  importance  of  the 
case,  defer  the  decision  of  it  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  Pres- 
bytery. Adjourned  to  meet  at  Chartiers,  3d  Tuesday  of 
October  next.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

SIXTH    MEETING. 

CIIARTIERS,  (15)  October  19th,  1784.— The  Presbytery 
met  according  to  adjournment,  ubi  post  preccs  sederunt,  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  John  M'Millan,  &c.     The  Rev.  James  Finley 

(15)  Chartiers. — It, has  been  supposed  that  this  church  was  organ- 
ized by  Dr.  M'Millan,  soon  after  he  was  ordained,  in  177G.  There  is, 
however,  some  reason  to  suppose  that,  as  in  the  case  of  Pigeon  Creek, 
it  was  organized  some  years  earlier — possibly  by  some  missionary  sent 
out  by  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia.  Dr.  M'Millan  became 
its  first  pastor,  in  the  year  above  mentioned,  though  he  had  visited  it 
and  labored  some  time  there  during  the  previous  year.  He  continued 
the  pastor  of  Chartiers  till  dismissed  April  21st,  1830,  having  long  be- 
fore been  dismissed  from  Pigeon  Creek,  which  was  originally  a  part  of 
his  charge.     This  was  an  eventful  year  in  the  history  of  Chartiers. 

Towards  the  beginning  of  that  year,  or  near  the  close  of  the  previous 
year,  Centre  church  was  organized,  taking  off  a  considerable  wing  of 
old  Chartiers.  Then,  in  the  fall,  Canonsburg  church  was  also  organ- 
ized, cutting  into  the  very  vitals  of  the  mother  church.  So  that,  whereas 
they  had  reported,  up  to  this  year,  304  members,  we  find  them  in  their 
next  report  reduced  to  70.  (See  printed  Records  of  Synod  of  Pitts- 
burg.) 

The  Eev.  Samuel  F.  Leake  was  installed  pastor  of  Chartiers,  July 
12th,  1831,  and  was  dismissed  June  21st,  1843.  He  was  succeeded  by 
the  Rev.  A.  A.  Brown,  D.D.,  September  3d,  1844,  who  continued  till 
January  11th,  1848.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Robert  White,  Sep- 
tember Gth,  1848,  who  died  December  14th,  1848.     The  Rev.  Joseph  R. 


330  HISTORY   OF   CIIARTIERS    COXGREGATION. 

having  been  regularly  dismissed  from  his  former  charge,  and 
accepted  a  call  from  the  two  Societies  in  the  Forks  of 
Youghiogheny,  with  the  approbation  of  this  Presbytery, 
although  he  has  not  yet  received  a  dismission  from  New 
Castle  Presbytery,  yet  being  present  and  invited,  sits  as  a 
correspondent.  The  Presbytery  was  opened  with  a  sermon 
on  Romans  vii.  9,  by  Mr.  Finley. 

Ordered  that  Mr.  M'Millan  and  his  congregations  produce 
a  settlement  for  all  past  time,  at  our  next  spring's  meeting, 
and  that  they  no  longer  defer  it ;  also,  that  this  minute  be 
read  to  the  congregations. 

Henry  Taylor  being  necessarily  absent,  the  consideration 
of  his  appeal  is  deferred  till  our  next  meeting. 

The  Presbytery  being  informed  that  160  Bibles,  purchased 
by  the  Synod  for  the  use  of  the  poor  within  the  bounds  of 

Wilson,  June  20th,  1849,  became  their  pastor,  and  continued  till  January 
15th,  1851.  On  October  IGth,  1852,  the  Rev.  William  Ewing,  their  pre- 
sent pastor,  received  a  call,  and  was  ordained  .and  installed  January 
14th,  1852.     The  number  of  communicants  reported  in  1853  was  139. 

This  church,  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  West,  for  half  a  century  enjoyed 
the  faithful  labors  of  Dr.  M'Millan,  and  under  his  ministry  was  favored 
with  many  happy  seasons  of  revival.  Its  graveyard  contains  his  mortal 
remains,  together  with  those  of  his  wife  and  two  sons-in-law — the  Rev. 
John  Watson  and  the  Rev.  William  Morehead.  On  the  tomb-stone  of 
Dr.  M'Millan  are  these  words,  arranged,  not  as  here  given,  but  in  the 
usual  manner  in  such  cases : 

"  Erected  in  memory  of  the  Rev.  John  M'Millan,  D.D.,  an  able  di- 
vine, a  preacher  of  the  first  order.  His  distinguished  talents,  his  active 
benevolence,  his  private  virtue,  his  exalted  piety,  the  skill  and  ability 
which  he  displayed  in  instructing  and  training  young  men  for  the  gos- 
pel ministry,  his  indefatigable  zeal  in  promoting  his  Master's  cause,  and 
the  best  interests  of  his  fellow-men,  have  raised  a  monument  to  his  fame 
far  more  imperishable  than  the  stone  which  bears  this  inscription.  He 
was  the  leading  founder  of  Jefferson  College.  The  Chartiers  Presbyte- 
rian congregation,  in  which  he  labored  for  more  than  half  a  century, 
owes  its  origin  to  the  blessing  of  God  on  his  instrumentality.  He  died 
November  16th,  1853,  enjoying  the  undoubted  hope  of  a  blissful  eter- 
nity, in  the  82d  year  of  his  age,  and  the  60th  year  of  his  ministry." 


r)R.    EWING  —  RUNNING     THE    BOUNDARY    LINE.         331 

this  Presbytery,  were  brouglit  out   by  Dr.  Ewing,  (IG)  and 
loft  at  several  places,  order  that  those  in  Mr.  Power's  hands, 

(16)  Dr.  Ewing  was  out — along  with  the  celebrated  American  states- 
men, David  Rittenhouse,  Bishop  Madison,  of  Virginia,  and  the  other 
Commissioners  of  the  two  States — running  the  line  between  the  States 
of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  in  the  summer  and  fall  of  1784,  Here 
is  a  curious  illustration  of  the  manner  in  which  cotcmporary  secular 
history  verifies  and  illustrates  the  minutes  of  the  Presbytery.  It  is  re- 
markable, that  two  of  the  most  eminent  clcrf^ymcn  of  their  respective 
churches — the  Presbyterian  and  the  Episcopal — were  employed  in  this 
specific  business  of  settling  the  long-disputed  boundary  line  between 
the  two  States.  This  difficulty  had  brought  the  Western  people,  at  one 
time,  almost  to  the  verge  of  civil  war  among  themselves.  And  yet, 
though  they  were  also  involved  in  hostilities  with  the  Indian  tribes,  when 
the  United  States  began  their  Revolutionary  struggle,  there  was  but  one 
common  feeling  among  both  parties  on  that  subject.  They  held  two 
fjreat  meetings,  on  the  IGth  of  May,  1775,  only  four  weeks  after  the 
battle  of  Lexington  —  the  Virginia  party  mainly,  not  exclusively,  at 
Pittsburg,  calling  it  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  that  part  of  Augusta 
County,  west  side  of  Laurel  Hill — the  Pennsylvania  party  at  Ilanna's- 
town ;  both  adopting,  unanimously,  strong  Wiiig  resolutions,  in  conso- 
nance with  the  patriotic  feeling  of  the  land.  They  all  struggled  toge- 
ther in  that  cause.  But  as  soon  as  it  was  gained,  they  fell  to  quarreling 
again,  about  whether  they  were  Pennsylvanians  or  Virginians,  almost 
worse  than  ever.  And  now  these  ministers  of  peace,  with  others,  had 
come  out  to  fix  and  determine  finally  the  boundary  line  !  And  one  of 
them  came,  bringing  with  him  IGO  Bibles  for  the  use  of  the  Presbytery, 
to  supply  their  poor  and  destitute  people  with  the  bread  of  life ! 

The  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia  had,  at  their  session  of 
1783,  "  taken  into  consideration  the  situation  of  many  people  under 
their  care,  who,  through  the  indigence  of  their  circumstances,  are  not 
able  to  purchase  Bibles,  and  are  in  danger  of  perishing  for  lack  of 
knowledge. 

"  Ordered,  that  every  member  of  this  body  shall  use  his  utmost  in- 
fluence in  the  congregation  under  his  inspection,  and  in  the  vacancies 
contiguous  to  them,  to  raise  contributions  for  the  purchasing  of  Bibles, 
to  be  distributed  among  such  poor  persons ;  and  that  Doctors  Sproat 
and  Ewing,  and  Mr.  Duffield,  be  a  committee  to  receive  such  contribu- 
tions, to  purchase  Bibles  therewith,  and  send  them  to  the  several  mem- 
bers of  the  Synod,  who,  in  conjunction  with  their  respective  sessions, 
shall  distribute  them."     (Printed  Records,  p.  500.) 


332  HISTORY    OF    REIIEBOTII    AND    ROUNDHILL. 

viz.,  43,  be  distributed  by  him  and  Mr.  Finley  in  the  best 
manner  they  can — that  Col.  M'Clane  be  instructed  to  send 
tlie  greater  part  of  those  in  his  hands  to  Mr.  McMillan  — 
and  that  Mr.  Dod  make  inquiry  concerning  those  in  Col. 
M'Leary's  hands.  Adjourned  to  meet  at  the  Upper  meeting- 
house in  the  Forks,  the  4th  Tuesday  of  January  next.  Con- 
cluded with  prayer. 

SEVENTH   MEETING. 

January  25th,  1785. — The  Presbytery  met,  according  to 
adjournment,  at  the  Upper  meeting-house  in  the  Forks,  (17) 

And  now  we  find,  from  the  minutes  of  the  Redstone  Presbytery,  that 
Dr.  Ewing  (pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church  in  Philadelphia,) 
did  not  forget  to  bring  the  Bibles  along  with  him,  leaving  them  at  dif- 
ferent places  on  his  route. 

(17)  Upper  Meetikg-house,  or  Rehoboth,  and  Lower  Meeting- 
house, OR  RouNDHiLL.  —  Thcse,  it  is  believed,  are  among  the  oldest 
congregations  of  our  denomination  west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains. 
The  Rev.  James  Finley  visited  this  part  of  the  country  about  the  year 
1772,  and  preached  the  gospel  to  a  few  scattered  whites,  who  were  living 
contiguous  to  the  Indians.  From  this  time,  or  till  1783,  he  occasionally 
visited  this  region,  and  by  his  preaching  and  Christian  conversation, 
watered  the  seed  which  had  been  sown.  On  one  of  these  visits,  proba- 
bly about  the  year  1778,  he  gathered  the  scattered  sheep  of  Christ's 
flock  into  regularly  organized  churches.  Rehoboth,  or  Upper  Meeting- 
house, as  it  was  first  called,  is  in  Westmoreland  County,  about  nine 
miles  from  Roundhill,  or  the  Lower  Meeting-house,  which  is  in  Alle- 
gheny County.  At  that  time  they  were  indeed  like  sheep  in  the  midst 
of  wolves.  For  the  inhabitants  were  much  annoyed  by  savage  Indians  ; 
and  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Monongahela  river  some  fell  victims  to 
their  barbarity. 

In  the  year  1784,  Mr.  Finley  having  taken  his  dismission  from  the 
New  Castle  Presbytery,  took  the  pastoral  charge  of  these  congregations. 
After  his  death,  which  took  place  January  6th,  1795,  these  churches 
remained  vacant  two  years  or  more,  when  the  Rev.  David  Smith  was 
installed  over  them.  During  the  last  year  of  his  ministry  among  them, 
the  Spirit  of  God  was  shed  down  upon  these  churches  in  a  very  remark- 
able manner ;  and  the  Word  preached  seemed  to  be  attended  with  a 
power  that  astonished  the  people,  numbers  falling  down  to  the  earth, 


UNITY    CONGREGATION    AND    DR.    POWER.  333 

[ReliobotliJ  ubi  post  prcccs  seclerunt,  the  Rev.  ]\Iessrs.  Jolm 
Clark,  &c. 

The  Rev.  James  Finley,  a  member  of  the  New  Castle 
Presbytery,  being  present  and  invited,  sits  as  a  correspon- 
dent. The  Presbytery  was  opened  with  a  sermon  from  John, 
V.  40,  by  Mr.  Clark. 

The  Presbytery,  understanding  that  Unity  Congregation 
is  in  considerable  arrearages  to  Mr.  Power,  and  also  that  they 
expect  shortly  to  be  supplied  with  a  stated  pastor,  do  there- 
fore order  Mr.  Finley  to  write  to  the  sessions  of  that  congre- 

and  others  crying  out  with  distress,  on  account  of  their  sins.  At  that 
memorable  period,  while  in  the  full  vigor  of  life,  and  in  the  midst  of 
his  usefulness,  he  was  removed  by  death,  August  24th,  1803.  Ue  was 
succeeded  by  the  Rev.  William  Wylie,  D.D.,  in  1805.  At  that  time 
there  were,  in  these  churches,  about  130  communicants.  Dr.  Wylie 
continued  their  pastor  till  the  spring  of  1817,  when,  at  his  own  request, 
he  was  dismissed.  In  the  following  June  the  Hev.  Robert  Johnston 
became  their  pastor.  His  ministry  and  labors  among  them  continued 
in  Roundhill  till  October,  1831,  and  in  Rehoboth  till  December,  1832. 
The  congregations  remained  vacant  till  July,  1833,  when  they  were  sup- 
plied by  the  Rev.  N.  H.  Gillett,  who  was  installed  their  pastor  in  De- 
cember, 1834.  He  continued  the  pastor  of  the  united  congregations  till 
1841,  when  he  was  dismissed,  at  his  own  request,  from  Roundhill,  Reho- 
both giving  him  a  call  for  the  whole  of  his  services.  He  remained  as 
the  pastor  of  Rehoboth  until  1848,  when  he  was  dismissed,  at  his  own 
request.  In  1849,  their  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  James  R.  Hughes,  re- 
ceiving from  them'  a  call,  settled  among  them,  and  was  installed  their 
pastor. 

In  the  mean  time,  Roundhill  gave  a  call  to»the  Rev.  William  Eaton, 
in  1841,  who  became  and  continued  their  pastor  till  1844,  when,  at  his 
request,  he  was  dismissed.  In  1845,  the  Rev.  A.  Calhoon  was  ordained 
and  installed  their  pastor.  He  was  removed  by  death  in  the  spring  of 
1848.  The  congregation  of  Roundhill  then  remained  vacant  until  the 
spring  of  1851,  (though  supplied  by  licentiates,  Messrs.  Edgar,  Fulton 
and  Hamilton,)  when  the  Rev.  Joseph  Smith,  their  present  pastor,  re- 
ceiving from  them  a  call,  settled  among  them,  and  wag  installed  in 
June  following.  The  congregation  of  Roundhill  have  recently  built  a 
large  and  commodious  house  of  worship  in  Elizabeth  town,  and  wor- 
ship there  and  in  their  former  house  alternately.  The  number  of  com- 
municants in  Rehoboth,  in  1854,  is  IGO — in  Roundhill,  140. 


334  SETTLEMENTS    REQUIRED. 

gation,  and  inform  them  that  a  settlement  with  Mr.  Power 
must  be  produced  at  our  meeting,  in  order  to  prevent  disa- 
greeable consequences,  and  that  Mr.  Power  and  his  congrega- 
tions produce  a  settlement  for  all  past  time,  at  our  next  spring 
meeting ;  and  that  this  order  be  made  known  to  the  congre- 
gations. Adjourned  to  meet  at  the  Lower  Meeting-house, 
on  the  third  Tuesday  of  April  next.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

EIGHTH    MEETING. 

Tuesday,  April  19th,  1785. — The  Presbytery  met  accord- 
ing to  adjournment,  at  the  Lower  Meeting-house,  (17)  in  the 
Forks.  Ubi  post  preces  sederunt,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  John 
M'Millan,  &c.  The  Presbytery  was  opened  with  a  sermon 
from  Matthew  ix.,  12,  by  Mr.  Power. 

Mr.  M'Millan  produces  a  settlement,  whereby  it  appears 
that  the  balance  due  to  him  from  the  congregation  of  Chartiers 
is  £107  16s  4c?,  which  became  due  the  1st  of  February,  1785. 
And  from  the  congregation  at  Pigeon  Creek,  £91  9s  Bd, 
which  became  due  November  1st,  1784.  Mr.  Power's  reasons 
for  not  fulfilling  his  appointments  at  Fort  Pitt  and  Long 
Run,  are  sustained.  Mr.  Power  produces  settlements  between 
him  and  his  congregations,  whereby  it  appears,  that  the 
balance  due  from  the  congregation  of  Mount  Pleasant,  by  the 
1st  of  May  next,  is  £90  15s  7d — and  from  the  congregation 
of  Sewickly,  by  the  1st  of  May  next,  £84  Is  Od.  Upon 
inquiry  it  was  found  that  the  congregations  are  satisfied  with 
the  diligence  and  care  of  their  respective  pastors.  Adjourned 
to  meet  at  Pigeon  Creek,  on  the  third  Tuesday  of  June 
next.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

NINTH   MEETING. 

PIGEON  CREEK,  Tuesday,  21st  of  June,  1785.— The 
Presbytery  met  according  to  adjournment.  Ubi  post  preces 
sederunt,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  John  Clark,  &c. 

The  Rev.  James  Finley,  (18)  formerly  a  member  of  New 

(18)  The  Synod  of  Neve  York  and  Philadelphia  had,  on  the  17th  of 
May,  1782,  by  their  own  act,  dissolved  the  pastoral  relation  between 


iiEXRY  Taylor's  appeal  issued.  335 

Castle  Presbytery,  having  accepted  a  call  Avithin  our  bounds, 
now  applies  to  be  admitted  a  member  of  this  Presbytery. 
And  upon  producing  sufficient  testimonials,  and  a  dismission 
from  that  Presbytery,  is  accordingly  received,  and  takes  his 
seat  as  a  member  of  this.     His  elder  is  John  Gaston. 

Henry  Taylor  being  come,  the  Presbytery  proceeded  to 
hear  the  reasons  of  his  appeal.  The  Presbytery  having  heard 
what  each  party  had  to  say,  and  maturely  deliberating  on  the 
whole,  conclude  that  though  Henry  denies  that  the  charge 
against  him  was  proved,  or  that  he  had  ever  confessed  that 
he  had  done  what  he  was  charged  with ;  and  although  the 
session,  through  inadvertency,  we  suppose,  neglected  to  set 
down  his  acknowledgment  to  Mr.  M'Millan,  which  we  have 
now  heard,  viz  :  That  he  said  Taylor  had  directed  and  assisted 
the  company  in  going  through  a  reel  in  dancing,  which  he 
supposed  they  had  gone  wrong  in  ;  yet  we  think  that  the 
evidence  of  John  Riddle,  now  oflfered  to  us  by  Mr.  Taylor, 
viz :  that  Mr.  Taylor,  at  the  request  of  the  company,  had 
allowed  them  an  hour  to  recreate  themselves  in  dancing ;  to- 
gether with  the  testimony  of  some  members  of  the  Presbytery 
who  had  heard  him  acknowledge  the  same  at  a  former  meet- 
ing, gives  us  sufficient  reason  to  conclude  that  he  did  give  such 
a  relation  to  Mr.  M'Millan,  and  did  countenance  and  approve 
promiscuous  dancing ;  which  was  greatly  aggravated  in  him 
by  the  circumstances  mentioned  in  the  minutes  of  the  session, 
and  some  other  things  in  the  congregation  did  carry  the  ap- 

Mr.  Finley  and  East  Nottingham — and  though  they  did  not,  as  stated 
in  the  "  Appendix  to  the  Life  of  Macurdy,"  direct  the  Presbytery  to 
dismiss  him,  yet  as  their  act  in  dissolving  the  pastoral  relation  must 
have  been  mainly,  if  not  solely,  on  the  ground  of  his  having  received  a 
call  to  the  West,  and  of  his  desire  to  accept  it,  the  Presbytery  were 
virtually  directed  to  dismiss  him.  Yet  they  do  not  report  his  dismission 
till  May  19th,  1785.  (See  Records,  p.  507.)  Why  this  good  man  was 
treated  in  this  manner  does  not  appear.  The  Presbytery  of  Redstone 
seems  to  have  received  him  informally,  and  to  have  permitted  him  to 
enter  upon  his  full  pastoral  work,  well  understanding,  no  doubt,  that  it 
was  not  his  fault  that  he  had  not,  long  before,  received  his  dismission. 


336  MR.    HUEY.  —  REVIVALS    REFERRED    TO. 

pearance  of  being  clone  in  contempt.  Therefore,  as  promis- 
cuous dancing  is  condemned  by  the  body  of  the  godly  and 
judicious  in  all  ages,  as  well  as  by  our  own  standards,  and  is 
generally  attended  with  bad  effects,  we  cannot  think  that  the 
sessions  were  too  rigorous  in  their  judgment ;  and,  therefore, 
with  them,  must  conclude  that  Mr.  Taylor,  in  order  to  admis- 
sion to  church  privileges,  ought  to  acknowledge  his  fault  before 
this  Presbytery,  or  before  the  session  of  the  congregation  to 
which  he  belongs,  and  be  admonished  to  be  more  circumspect 
for  the  future ;  and  that  this  his  acknowledgment  should  be 
signified  to  the  congregation  by  Mr.  M'Millan.  Finally,  as 
Mr.  Taylor  declares  that  he  did  not  act  in  the  above  affair 
out  of  contempt,  we  think  this  declaration  ought  to  be 
received  as  candid  and  true.  From  this  judgment,  Mr. 
Taylor  reserves  a  liberty  of  appealing  to  Synod,  if,  upon 
deliberation,  he  shall  think  proper.  If  he  does  appeal,  the 
clerk- is  ordered  to  furnish  him  with  a  copy  of  the  above  judg- 
ment, upon  his  producing  the  reasons  of  his  appeal. 

The  Presbytery,  finding  that  many  difficulties  arise  from 
marriages  celebrated  by  Mr.  Hughy,  (19)  and  such  persons 
who  have  no  authority,  either  civil  or  ecclesiastical,  for  so 
doing,  do  therefore  judge  that  such  marriages  be  discounte- 
nanced, and  people  cautioned  against  them  as  unlawful. 

The  Presbytery,  taking  into  consideration  the  unspeakable 
goodness  of  God,  in  planting  his  church,  in  this,  not  long 
since  an  howling  wilderness,  the  habitation  of  savages;  in 
accompanying  his  ordinances  with  the  Almighty  influences  of 
his  Holy  Spirit  (20) ;  and  considering  also  the  great  danger 

(19)  Mr.  Hughy.  The  Presbytery  of  Donegal  reported  to  the  Synod 
of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  May  19th,  1773,  that  they  received  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Huey  from  the  Presbytery  of  Derry,  in  Ireland — and  in  May 
18th,  1774,  that  they  had  suspended  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hughey  since  the  last 
meeting  of  Synod.  (See  printed  Records,  pp.  437  and  451.)  This  is 
probably  the  same  man,  though  the  name  is  spelt  differently  in  each 
case ;  and  his  general  character,  a  little  like  his  name,  some^vhat 
slippery. 

(20)  This  clause  refers  to  some  gracious  seasons  enjoyed  by  some  of 


THE    REV.    JAMES    GIUER.  337 

Vi'c  are  in  of  provoking  God  to  -vNitlidraw  those  gracious  influ- 
ences— and  that  multitudes  are  still  careless  and  hardcnin'^' 
under  the  means ;  do  therefore  think  it  their  incumbent  duty 
to  appoint  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  to  be  observed  in 
their  respective  congregations,  to  implore  a  more  plentiful  out- 
pouring of  divine  influences  upon  the  church  in  general,  and 
upon  his  infant  church  in  this  land  in  particular,  and  at  the  same 
time  to  acknowledge  with  gratitude  the  many  mercies,  both 
special  and  common,  conferred  upon  us.  \Ye  do  therefore 
appoint  the  first  Thursday  of  September,  to  be  observed  for 
the  above  purposes.  Adjourned  to  meet  at  Peter's  creek  on 
the  third  Tuesday  of  October  next.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

TENTH    MEETING. 

PETERS'  CREEK,  Oct.  18th,  1785.  — The  Presbytery 
met  according  to  adjournment.  Ubi  post  preces  sederunt, 
the  Rev.  Messrs.  John  Clark,  &c.  The  Presbytery  was  opened 
with  a  sermon  on  Phil.  i.  28,  by  Mr.  M'Millan. 

The  Rev.  James  Grier,  member  of  the  Presbytery  of  Phil- 
adelphia, being  present,  and  invited,  sits  as  a  correspondent. 

Messrs.  M'Allister  and  John  Hopkins,  having  represented 
to  Presbytery  that  Mr.  Barr,  a  member  of  New  Castle  Pres- 
bytery, during  his  preaching  in  these  parts,  appeared  to  ne- 
glect the  measures  ordinarily  taken,  in  the  admissions  of  per- 
sons to  baptism,  and  in  the  administration  of  that  ordinance ; 
and  having  desired  to  know  whether  we  did  approve  of  such 
measures,  viz. :  the  omitting  the  confession  of  faith  in  baptism, 

the  cliurchos  shortly  before  that  time,  June,  1785.  In  the  "Western 
Missionary  Magazine,  Vol.  II.,  p.  289,  is  the  following  passage,  that 
may  in  part  serve  to  illustrate  this  clause.  "  At  the  time  the  Lord's 
supper  was  administered  at  Buffalo,  in  the  ftill  of  1783,  about  one  hun- 
dred of  the  subjects  of  this  good  work  were  admitted  to  communion ; 
and  many  were  awakened  on  that  solemn  occasion.  The  awakening 
and  hopeful  conversion  of  sinners  continued  and  increased  through 
three  or  four  years ;  nor  was  there  much  appearance  of  a  decline  for 
six  or  seven  years  after  it  began." 

22 


338  MR.    BARR  —  WHAT   REQUIRED   OF   HIM. 

as  in  the  case  of  one  Meek  ;  and  baptizing  privately,  when  it 
might  have  been  done  publicly,  as  in  the  case  of  one  Gilke- 
son  ;  and  baptizing  four  persons,  without  proper  inquiry  into 
their  moral  character,  as  in  the  foregoing  instances  and  some 
others ;  the  Presbytery  are  fully  satisfied  that  the  measures 
they  have  observed  are  just  and  necessary ;  and  agree  that 
further  inquiry  be  made  into  the  supposed  irregular  conduct 
of  Mr.  Barr.(21) 

Mr.  Clark,  Mr.  Smith,  and  Mr.  M'Millan,  are  appointed 
as  a  committee  to  examine  and  receive,  if  the  way  be  clear, 
and  make  appointments  for  such  ministers  and  candidates  as 
may  come  into  our  bounds  before  the  next  meeting  of  Pres- 
bytery. Mr.  Finley  is  appointed  to  preach  in  Mr.  Dunlap's 
congregation  as  soon  as  convenient,  and  use  his  best  endea- 
vors to  promote  a  settlement  between  him  and  his  people,  for 
the  relief  of  ^Ir.  Dunlap  in  his  present  difficult  circumstances. 

(21)  "We  see  how  our  fathers  disapproved  of  any  laxity  in  the  admi- 
nistration of  the  seals  of  the  covenant,  and  in  the  exercise  of  discipline. 
Had  they  connived  at  the  beginnings  of  a  looser  system,  whereunto 
might  the  evil  have  grown  ?  The  report  of  some  irregularities,  in  re- 
gard to  the  administration  of  baptism,  reaching  their  ears,  they  not 
only  express  their  decided  views  on  the  subject,  but  adopt  another  wise 
precaution,  before  they  adjourn  —  the  appointment  of  a  committee  of 
three,  Messrs.  Clark,  Smith,  and  M'Millan,  to  stand,  as  it  were,  at  the 
gates  of  the  city,  and  examine  ministers  and  candidates  from  other 
Presbyteries  and  foreign  bodies,  and  "make  appointments  for  them." 

There  is  something  rather  unpromising  about  the  alleged  conduct  of 
Mr.  Barr.  The  Synod  had  given  his  Presbytery  (New  Castle,)  leave 
to  ordain  him,  sine  titulo,  "  in  order  that  he  may  travel  through  the 
various  churches  of  the  Southern  States,"  only  a  few  months  before. 
(Print.  Rec,  p.  511.)  But  here  we  find  him  in  the  West,  and  likely  to 
give  trouble  ;  we  shall  hear  more  of  him  after  awhile.  The  Presbytery 
of  New  Brunswick,  on  the  19th  of  May,  1785,  reported  him  as  a  licensed 
candidate  from  the  Presbytery  of  Derry,  in  Ireland.  (Rec,  p.  507.) 
Ireland  was  a  fountain  that  then,  and  for  many  years  after,  sent  forth 
streams  both  sweet  and  bitter.  If  Dr.  M'Millan  got,  as  a  friend  and 
brother  to  cheer  him  all  his  life,  a  Balston — he  also  got  a.Bi7x7i  to  plague 
him, — hothfrom  Ireland! 


MR.  ADDISON  —  NOTE    ABOUT    IIIM.  339 

Adjourned  to  meet  at  Pigeon  Creek  the  third  Tuesday  in 
December  next.     Concluded  with  prayer. 


ELEVENTH    MEETING. 

PIGEON  CREEK,  Dec.  20th,  1785.  — The  Presbytery 
met  according  to  adjournment.  Ubi  post  preces  sederunt, 
the  Rev.  Messrs.  James  Finley,  &c.  The  Presbytery  was 
opened  by  Mr.  Addison,  a  candidate  from  Scotland,  with  a 
sermon  from  Romans  v.  10.  The  committee  appointed  to 
examine  such  ministers  and  candidates  as  may  come  into  our 
bounds  is  continued. 

Mr.  Alexander  Addison,  a  candidate  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Aberlowe,  in  Scotland,  having  produced  a  copy  of  his 
licensure,  and  a  certificate  of  his  good  deportment  from  said 
Presbytery,  and  having  also  applied  to  this  Presbytery  to  be 
taken  under  our  care,  the  Presbytery  proceeded  to  make  some 
inquiries  of  him,  in  order  to  their  having  clearness  for  said 
purpose ;  but,  after  conversing  with  him  at  some  length,  did 
not  obtain  the  satisfaction  desired;  and,  therefore,  cannot 
agree  to  receive  him  as  a  candidate  under  their  care,  without 
some  limitation :  yet,  as  some  things  appear  very  agreeable  in 
Mr.  Addison,  they  are  not  without  hopes  of  obtaining  such 
satisfaction,  and  therefore  permit  him  to  preach  in  our  bounds 
until  the  next  meeting  of  Presbytery.  Application  was  made 
from  the  town  of  Washington  for  the  stated  labors  of  Mr. 
Addison  until  our  next  meeting,  and  also  for  a  member  to 
moderate  in  drawing  up  a  call  for  him.  The  Presbytery 
agree  that  Mr.  Addison's  labors  be  allowed  statedly,  until  our 
next  meeting,  to  the  town  of  Washington ;  but  as  the  mode- 
rating, in  drawing  up  a  call,  does  not  consist  with  a  minute 
of  Synod  on  this  subject,  we  cannot  at  present  make  the  ap- 
pointment. (22) 

(22)  We  have  not  been  able  to  find  the  "  minute  of  Synod"  referred 
to  ;  but  it  is  of  no  consequence.  The  cautious  and  guarded  manner  in 
which  the  Presbytery  acted  in  this  case,  was,  no  doubt,  intended  to 


340  MR.  ADDISON — WHAT    BECAME    OF    HIM. 

Mr.  Barr,  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  Castle,  being 
present,  informed  ns  that  a  call  had  been  drawn  up  for  him 
by  the  united  congregations  of  Pittsburg  and  Pittstownship, 
under  the  inspection  of  Mr.  Finley ;  and  that  upon  this  call 
being  presented  to  him,  he  declared  his  acceptance  thereof, 
upon  condition  that  this  Presbytery  approve  thereof.  We  do 
approve  thereof,  provided  Mr.  Barr  becomes  a  member  of  this 
Presbytery.  Adjourned  to  meet  at  the  Upper  meeting-house, 
in  the  forks  of  Youghiogheny,  the  third  Tuesday  ojf  April 
next.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

TWELFTH    MEETING. 

REHOBOTH,  Tuesday,  April  18th,  1786.  Presbytery 
met  according  to  adjournment.  Ubi  post  preces  sederunt,  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  James  Finley,  &c.  The  Presbytery  was  opened 
with  a  sermon  on  Ps.  Ixxi.  16,  by  Mr.  M'Millan.  The  com- 
mittee for  examining  such  ministers  and  candidates  as  may 
come  into  our  bounds,  continued. 

Upon  inquiry,  found  the  congregations  satisfied  with  the 
diligence  and  care  of  their  respective  pastors. 

The  Presbytery  having  formerly  urged  this  congregation 
(Unity,)  to  settle  with  Mr.  Power  for  the  time  of  his  laboring 
among  them,  and  as  they  have  given  no  notice  of  their  com- 
pliance, the  Presbytery  deem  it  improper  to  appoint  them 
supplies,  until  they  have  given  satisfaction  with  regard  to 
such  settlement.  A  supplication  for  supplies  from  Wheeling 
brought  in  and  read. 

Upon  a  new  application  of  the  town  of  Washington,  the 
Presbytery  agree  that  Mr.  Addison  continue  to  preach  until 
the  meeting  of  Synod.(23) 

avoid  giving  offence  to  the  people  of  Washington,  and  to  deal  tenderly 
with  Mr.  Addison. 

(23)  Mr.  Addison,  after  some  time,  gave  up  preaching,  and  turned 
his  attention  to  the  Law  —  became  a  member  of  the  "Washington  bar, 
and  rose  to  distinction  as  a  lawyer.  He  afterwards  became  a  Judge  of 
the  Court,  and  acted  in  this  capacity  during  the  latter  part  of  his  life — 


HENRY    TAYLOR'S    SUBMISSION.  341 

The  Presbytery  being  sufficiently  informed  that  the  con- 
gregation of  Sewickly  are  divided  in  their  sentiments  respect- 
ing the  place  of  public  worship  —  that  one  party  has  deter- 
mined to  build  at  a  place  remote  from  the  place  first  agreed 
upon,  the  other  determined  not  to  join  with  them ;  by  which, 
Mr.  Power  is  quite  embarrassed,  and  refers  to  the  Presbytery 
to  judge  what  his  future  conduct  should  be.  The  Presbytery, 
after  considering  the  matter,  resolved  that  unless  said  con- 
gregation do  alter  their  proceedings,  Mr.  Power  cannot  con- 
tinue with  them  as  formerly;  and  that,  therefore,  he  call  them 
together,  and  inform  them  thereof.  The  Presbytery  do  also 
judge  that  unless  they  agree  to  join  together,  the  union  be- 
tween him  and  them  should  continue  no  longer  than  until  the 
1st  of  May  next ;  but  that  he  after  that  should  be  at  liberty 
to  accept  of  an  offer  from  any  other  quarter. 

Henry  Taylor  appeared  before  Presbytery,  and  signified 
that,  upon  due  deliberation,  he  was  earnestly  desirous  that 
the  jar  between  him  and  the  Presbytery,  respecting  a  judg- 
ment concerning  his  conduct  on  a  certain  occasion,  be  re- 
moved, and  to  live  in  love  and  concord  with  that  branch  of 
the  church  where  he  resides :  and  therefore  professes  that  he 
is  sorry  that,  by  his  conduct,  he  has  given  offence  to  the 
church ;  and  that  he  will  conscientiously  guard  against  the 
like  conduct  for  the  future,  and  is  willing  to  submit  to  an  ad- 
monition before  the  Presbytery.  The  Presbytery  agree  to 
accept  of  his  acknowledgment  and  promise,  and  that  the 
Moderator  do  admonish  him  accordingly,  and  that  this  judg- 

residing  in  Pittsburg  till  his  death.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the 
affairs  of  the  first  Presbyterian  church,  and  was  its  efBcient  friend  and 
supporter. 

"Alexander  Addison  was  president  of  the  courts  in  the  four  counties; 
and  I  venture  to  say  that  a  more  intelligent,  learned,  upri2;lit,  and  fear- 
less judge  was  not  to  be  found  in  the  State."— Dr. Carnahan's  ""Western 
Insurrection." 

"His  charge  to  the  Grand  Jury,  September  1st,  1704,  during  the 
Insurrection,  is  a  noble  monument  of  his  talents  and  worth." — See 
Haz.  Reg.,  Vol.  XII.,  p.  241. 


342  HUGH   MORRISON,   JR. 

ment  be  read  before  the  congregation  of  Chartiers.  To  this 
judgment,  Mrl  Taylor  submitted,  and  was  admonished  accord- 
ingly. Adjourned  to  meet  at  Pigeon  Creek  the  third  Tuesday 
of  August  next.     Concluded  mih.  prayer. 

THIRTEENTH   MEETING. 

PIGEON  CREEK,  Tuesday,  Aug.  15th,  1786.— The  Pres- 
bytery met  according  to  adjournment.  Ubi  post  preces 
sederunt,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  James  Finley,  &c.  The  Presby- 
tery was  opened  with  a  sermon  from  2  Cor.  xi.  9,  by  Mr. 
Hugh  Morrison,  a  candidate  from  the  Presbytery  of  Roote,  in 
Ireland. 

Mr.  Smith  reported  settlement  with  Cross  Creek  —  has 
nothing  to  demand  from  them,  save  what  became  due  from 
December  last. 

Mr.  Power  reports  that  he  called  the  congregation  of  Se- 
wickly  together,  according  to  the  order  of  Presbytery,  and 
notified  them  of  the  judgment  of  Presbytery :  that  the  heads 
of  the  congregation,  after  consultation  being  had,  informed 
him  that  they  determined  to  continue  in  union,  and  had  fixed 
upon  a  spot  of  ground  for  erecting  a  house  of  worship,  and 
that,  in  the  mean  time,  they  desired  him  to  preach  at  the  old 
meeting-house ;  that  therefore  he  yet  continued  with  them  as 
usual.  A  supplication  for  supplies  brought  in  and  read.  Sup- 
plies granted  to  George's  Creek  and  Three  Ridges  by 
Mr.  Dod. 

The  Presbytery,  upon  deliberation,  find  it  is  not  in  their 
power  to  make  any  appointments  on  the  Sabbath  for  Unity 
and  Salem  congregations,  as  all  the  members  have  already  as 
many  appointments  as  they  can  fulfil  before  our  fall  meeting. 
Mr.  Finley,  however,  is  appointed  to  preach  at  Unity  on  a 
week-day  as  soon  as  convenient,  and  endeavor  to  have  a  set- 
tlement made  between  them  and  Mr.  Power.  Their  suppli- 
cation for  liberty  to  present  a  call  to  Mr.  Hugh  Morrison,  Jr., 
the  Presbytery  conceive  cannot  be  granted,  as  they  are  entire 
strangers  to  the  gentleman,  and  know  not  whether  ever  he 


SKETCH    OF   THE    REV.    JOHN    BRTCE.  343 

was  regularly  licensed  to  prcacli  the  gospel ;  he  having  never 
called  upon  the  committee,  nor  shown  his  credentials  to  any 
member  of  the  Presbytery.  The  Presbytery  conceive  that 
the  supplication  of  Mingo  Creek,  Ilorse-Shoe  Bottom,  and 
Pike  Run  congregations,  for  a  man  to  preside  in  drawing  up 
a  call  for  Mr.  H.  Morrison,  Jr.,  cannot  be  granted  for  the 
reasons  assigned  above.  Mr.  Hugh  Morrison,  Sen.,  a  candi- 
date from  the  Presbytery  of  Roote,  in  Ireland,  applied  to  be 
taken  under  the  care  of  this  Presbytery ;  but  the  Presbytery 
did  not  see  their  way  clear  to  admit  him. 

G.  Latimer  applied  to  Presbytery,  requesting  a  rehearing 
of  the  affair  between  him  and  Deborah  Ross.  The  Presby- 
tery agree  that  he  have  liberty  to  offer  whatever  new  light  he 
thinks  may  be  of  use  to  him  upon  the  subject ;  and  if  it  shall 
appear  that  he  affords  new  light,  that  then  they  will  recon- 
sider the  affair.  The  Presbytery  appoint  Messrs.  Alexander 
M'Clure,  ^neas  M'Allister,  James  Moor,  George  Shields, 
John  Fulton,  and  "William  Eeard,  elders,  to  meet  at  John 
Man's,  near  Long  Run,  with  Mr.  M'Millan,  who,  with  them,  is 
appointed  to  hear  and  determine  in  an  affair  between  a  certain 
John  Hamilton  and  Sarah  Reyburn,  on  Tuesday  week ;  and 
that  a  copy  of  this  minute  be  sent  to  said  Sarah,  who  is 
ordered  to  attend,  as  well  as  said  Hamilton,  with  what  evi- 
dence they  have.    Messrs.  John  Brice  (24)  and  James  Hughes 

(24)  "  The  Rev.  John  Brice  was  a  native  of  Hartford  County,  Mary- 
land. He  removed  with  the  fiiniily  to  "Western  Pennsylvania,  and  re- 
ceived his  education  chiefly  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev.  Joseph 
Smith.  He  studied  theology  partly  under  Mr.  Smith,  and  partly  under 
Mr.  Dod.  He  and  James  Hughes  were  students  together  at  Mr.  Smith's, 
and  were  licensed  together,  April  15th,  1788,  by  the  Presbytery  of  Red- 
stone. By  the  same  Presbytery  he  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor 
of  the  congregations  Three  Ridges  and  Forks  of  "Wheeling,  April  22d, 
1790.  "When  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio  was  formed  in  1793,  he  was  one 
of  its  original  members.  In  the  above-named  congregations,  he  labored 
until  abo.ut  the  year  1807,  when,  on  account  of  ill-health,  the  pastoral 
relation  between  him  and  them  was  dissolved.  He  still  continued,  how- 
ever, to  preach  the  gospel  in  Green  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  the 


344  SKETCH    OF   THE   REV.    JAMES   HUGHES. 

(25)  appeared  before  Presbytery,  and  offered  themselves  to 
be  taken  on  trials  in  order  to  their  being  licensed  to  preach 
the  gospel.    The  Presbytery  proceeded  to  converse  with  them 

adjacent  parts  of  Virginia,  as  often  as  health  would  permit,  until  the 
18th  of  April,  1810,  when  he  was  dismissed  to  connect  himself  with 
the  Presbytery  of  Lancaster.  He  died  the  next  year,  August  26th, 
1811,  aged  fifty-one  years.  He  was  a  man  of  nervous  temperament, 
subject,  occasionally,  to  great  despondency  of  mind,  but  of  deep  piety. 
Ilis  labors  were  attended  Avith  a  divine  blessing,  and  many  rich  fruits 
of  his  ministry  have  appeared,  since  his  decease,  both  in  his  former 
charge  and  in  the  country  adjacent.  The  late  Rev.  John  Brice  M'Coy, 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Washington,  who  died  at  Wheeling  October  18th, 
1841,  was  his  grandson." — Append.  Life  of  Macurdy. 

*'  The  Rev.  Mr.  Brice  married  one  of  the  sisters  of  James  and  John 
Kerr,  both  sons-in-law  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Power,  and  was  called  to  AYheel- 
ing,  where  he  became  pastor  of  two  congregations — one  at  West  Alex- 
ander, and  the  other  at  the  Forks  of  Wheeling,  near  Sheppard's.  In 
the  summer  of  1792,  T  think  it  was,  I  was  living  in  Wheeling,  when 
John  Kerr  and  his  sister  died  on  the  same  day.  Mrs.  Brice  died  on 
Sabbath-day,  whilst  her  husband  was  two  or  more  miles  distant,  admin- 
istering the  sacrament  I  was  boarding  in  the  family  of  a  James  Mar- 
tin, whose  wife  attended  Mrs.  Brice  in  her  last  moments.  At  that  time 
Mrs.  Martin  had  an  infant  at  home;  and  therefore,  after  paying  the 
last  duties  to  the  departed,  returned,  and  told  her  husband,  a  young 
woman  residing  in  the  family,  and  myself,  that  Mrs.  Brice  was  dead ; 
and  that  nearly  her  last  words  were  *  My  brother  John  will  die  to-day  ! 
and  this  night  we'll  meet  in  heaven !'  We  did  not  hear  from  John 
Kerr,  who  really  died  the  same  day,  until  the  ensuing  Friday ;  and 
who,  we  were  told,  made,  in  his  last  moments,  a  similar  declaration. 
The  circumstances  which  I  have  here  related  were  strange ;  but  they 
are  stated  as  they  occurred." — William  Darby,  Esq. 

Mr.  John  Kerr's  residence  was  on  Pigeon  Creek,  twenty-five  miles 
from  the  residence  of  his  sister ! 

(25)  "  The  Rev.  James  Hughes  was  a  native  of  York  County,  Penn- 
sylvania. His  father,  Rowland  Hughes,  emigrated  from  England.  His 
parents  were  both  esteemed  for  their  consistent  religious  character; 
especially  his  mother,  who  was  eminently  pious.  About  the  year  1780, 
he  removed,  with  his  mother  and  family,  to  Washington  County  ;  his 
father  having  died  about  a  year  before.  His  education,  so  far  as  we 
have  been  able  to  learn  anything  respecting  it,  was  prosecuted  under 
the  direction  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Smith,  of  Upper  Buffalo,  in  that  county  ; 
"with  whom  it  is  also  probable  that  he  studied  theology."     ["James 


First  PreacKer  of  ib.e  Gospel  licensed  intlie  West,  and  first  President  of  Mianr.  Univers 


P  SI>»ra/'ltl'^rt0aj7i.  i 


,/>Ai/' 


SKETCH   OF   THE   REV.    JAMES    HUGHES.  345 

on  their  experimental  acquaintance  \Yith  religion,  and  proposed 
to  them  several  cases  of  conscience,  and  having  obtained  satis- 
faction on  these  points,  agreed  to  take  them  on  trials.     The 

Hughes,  while  with  that  critic,  Mr,  Dod,  acquired,  or  rather  in  him  was 
developed,  a  taste  for  the  accuracies  and  intricacies  of  science,  which 
he  still  improved  until  he  became  the  president  of  a  state  university." 
— Letter  of  Rev.  J.  Lindley."]  *'  He  M-as  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel 
April  15th,  1788,  by  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone.  Ilis  labors  appear 
to  have  been  very  acceptable  to  the  churches,  as  three  several  calls  were 
presented  to  him :  one  from  the  united  congregations  of  Short  Creek 
and  Lower  Buffalo  ;  one  from  Donegal,  Fairfield,  and  Wheatfield  ;  and 
one  from  Xew  Providence  and  the  South  Fork  of  Ten-Mile.  The  first 
of  these  calls  he  accepted,  and  was  ordained  by  the  same  Presbytery, 
and  installed  the  pastor  of  Short  Creek  and  Lower  Buffalo  on  the  21st 
of  April,  1790."— Pres.  Ad.  1845,  and  App.  to  Life  of  Macurdy. 

The  following  extract  from  "Fragment  of  Recollections,"  written  by 
Charles  Hammond,  Esq.,  of  Cincinnati,  a  man  of  distinguished  emi- 
nence and  worth,  and  published  by  him  in  the  Cincinnati  Gazette  in 
1838,  is  worthy  of  an  insertion  here.  We  do  not  know  to  wliich  of  Mr. 
Hughes's  churches  Mr.  Hammond  refers,  but  it  is  not  material : — 

"  In  the  month  of  June,  1788,  an  arrangement  was  completed  for 
organizing  a  religious  congregation  many  miles  in  advance  of  any  exist- 
ing congregation.  Preparation  was  made  in  the  depth  of  the  forest. 
A  rough  wooden  erection  was  constructed  as  a  pulpit,  and  felled  timber 
was  arranged  as  seats.  Thursday  was  the  day  of  the  week  selected  for 
the  first  meeting ;  and  the  sun  never  shone  on  a  more  genial  day  in  the 
month  of  June.  For  miles  around  the  whole  population  was  collected 
together.  The  minister  came  to  make  his  trial  sermon,  a  young  licen- 
tiate, with  his  young  wife  in  company.  In  the  tract  of  country  I  have 
described,  the  Presbyterian  clergy  were  the  religious  pioneers  —  John 
M'Millan  and  Joseph  Smith.  Young  men  studied  divinity  in  the  pri- 
vate establishments  of  those  pioneers.  3Iore  than  this,  they  acquired 
all  the  elements  of  such  education  as  they  possessed  in  these  same 
family  establishments.  From  these  beginnings  the  college  at  Canons- 
burg  arose.  The  founders  were  the  clergymen  I  have  named,  and  their 
few  friends  and  associates. 

"  The  minister  who  presented  himself  to  make  his  trial  sermon  on  that 
day  was  the  pupil  and  son-in-law  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Smith. 

"  The  Rev.  James  Hughes  has  since  been  well  known  as  a  faithful  and 
unpretending  preacher  of  the  gospel  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  In 
its  infancy  this  church  was  sadly  divided  upon  the  vexed  question  of 
Psalmody.     For  this  it  was  rooted  out  from  its  first  locality,  furnished 


346  SKETCH    OF   THE   REV.    JAMES    HUGHES. 

Presb^^tery  examined  them  on  the  Latin  and  Greek  languages, 
and  metaphysics.  —  Sustained. 

Presbytery  examined  Messrs.  Brice  and  Hughes  on  logic 

by  a  zoalous  member.     A  stranger  of  the  Episcopal  church  bestowed 
its  abiding-spot  in  the  immediate  vicinity. 

"  In  these  congregations  he  labored  upwards  of  24  years  with  very 
encouraging  success.  During  that  period,  a  number  of  revivals  occurred 
under  his  ministry,  and  many  precious  souls  were  born  into  the  king- 
dom of  Christ.  On  the  29th  of  June,  1814,  he  resigned  his  pastoral 
charge,  and  was  dismissed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio,  to  which  he  then 
belonged,  and  of  which  he  was  an  original  member,  to  join  the  Presby- 
tery of  Miami.  About  the  same  time  he  removed  to  Urba»a,  Ohio ; 
where,  for  three  years,  he  acted  as  a  stated  supply  and  missionary.  In 
the  month  of  June,  1818,  he  was  chosen  Principal  of  what  is  now  the 
Miami  University.  This  office  he  accepted  and  held  to  the  time  of  his 
death ;  which  occurred  May  22d,  1821,  at  Oxford,  Butler  County,  Ohio, 
in  the  56th  year  of  his  age.  He  died  firmly  resting  on  the  atoning 
blood  of  that  Saviour  whom  he  had  so  long  and  so  faithfully  preached. 
"  At  every  time,  through  his  sickness,  when  he  could  converse,  he  ex- 
pressed his  unwavering  confidence  in  the  atonement  of  Christ ;  and  that 
overcoming  faith  cheered  him  in  his  dying  hours.  "With  the  utmost 
composure,  tranquillity,  and  resignation,  he  languished  and  died.  lie 
expressed  great  anxiety  for  the  prosperity  of  Sion,  for  which  he  had 
been  so  long  zealously  engaged.  He  died  as  he  lived.  He  was  always, 
through  life,  aloof  from  the  world,  and  escaped  all  contentions  about 
worldly  affairs.  He  was  an  afiectionate  husband  and  father,  ruling  his 
house  according  to  the  testimony  of  the  Lord." — "  Mr.  Hughes  was  an 
early  and  decided  friend  of  missions.  He  was  an  active  member  of  tihe 
Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Western  Missionary  Society  for  a  number  of 
years,  and,  as  appears  from  their  records,  was  a  very  constant  attendant 
on  their  meetings.  Besides  other  missionary  tours  in  destitute  settle- 
ments, he  performed  two  journeys,  at  least,  as  a  missionary  to  the  Indian 
tribes  on  the  Sandusky  River." 

Mr.  Hughes's  Journal  while  on  his  missionary  tour  among  the  "Wy- 
andots,  published  in  the  Miss.  Mag.,  Vol.  I.  p.  401-6,  is  one  of  the  most 
interesting  and  instructive  we  ever  read.  He  was  eminently  successful 
in  this  work.  Nothing  but  time  and  opportunity  were  wanting  to  have 
made  him  another  Brainerd. 

"  The  Rev.  Smiley  Hughes,  who  died  shortly  after  he  was  licensed,  and 
the  Rev.  Thomas  E.  Hughes,  deceased,  were  his  brothers.  He  had  two 
sons  who  entered  the  ministry,  viz. :  the  Rev.  Joseph  S.  Hughes,  and 


MR.    HUGH    MORRISON.  347 

and  moral  philosophy,  and  Mr.  Hughes  on  mathematics  and 
natural  philosophy  —  all  sustained.  Presbytery  assigned  to 
Mr.  Hughes  an  Exegesis  —  "An  sit  originale  peccatum?" 
Mr.  Brice,  ditto — "An  mortuorum  resurrectio  erit?" — both 
at  next  spring  meeting.  Adjourned  to  meet  at  Dunlap'a 
Creek  the  third  Tuesday  in  October.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

FOURTEENTH   MEETING. 

DUNLAP'S  CREEK,  17th  Oct.,  1780.— Presbytery  met 
according  to  adjournment.  Ubi  post  preces  sederunt,  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  J.  Finley,  &c.  Presbytery  opened  with  a  ser- 
mon on  Hosea  ii.  1,  2,  by  Mr.  Dod.  Mr.  Finley  reports  that 
he  had  fulfilled  his  appointment  at  Unity,  and  a  plan  adopted 
for  settling  with  Mr.  Power.  The  committee  sent  to  Long 
Run  report  they  had  come  to  a  judgment  in  the  affair ;  that 
Mr.  Hamilton  appealed,  but  is  not  now  present  to  sustain  it. 

The  Presbytery  being  informed  that  Mr.  Hugh  ^lorrison, 
Sen.,  has  misrepresented  the  conduct  of  this  Presbytery 
relative  to  him,  Mr.  Clark  and  Mr.  M'Millan  are  appointed, 
when  they  preach  at  Montour's  Run  and  Potato  Garden,  to 
set  that  matter  in  a  proper  point  of  light,  and  warn  the  people 
against  encouraging  him.  George  Latimer  now  come — and  it 
appearing  that  some  new  light  may  be  obtained  respecting  his 
affair,  the  Presbytery  agree  to  hear,  and  determine  the  same 
at  their  next  meeting. 

A  reference  from  the  sessions  of  Dunlap's  creek,  respecting 
a  certain  Armstrong  Porter — brought  in,  and  the  minutes  of 
the  session  relative  thereto  read  :  by  which  it  appears  that 
said  Armstrong  Porter  has  been  guilty  of  profane  swearing — 
the  evidence  of  which  he  does  not  deny — and  also  that  he 
absents  himself  from  public  worship,  which  he  acknowledges  ; 
but  his  reasons  do  not  appear  sufficient.     Upon  the  whole, 

the  Rev.  Thomas  E.  Hughes,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Oxford.  The  Rev. 
David  S.  Anderson,  who  is  also  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of  Oxford, 
is  his  nephew." — Pres.  Ad.  1845,  and  App.  to  Life  of  Macurdj. 


348  REV.    WAITE    CORNWELL. 

the  Presbytery  judge  that  the  said  Armstrong  Porter  submit 
to  a  rebuke  from  the  Moderator  of  the  session,  and  promise 
reformation  and  a  more  circumspect  walk  in  future  and  that 
a  copy  of  this  minute  be  referred  to  the  congregation  upon 
which  he  may  be  admitted  to  privileges  in  case  the  session 
have  nothing  further  against  him.  Mr.  Porter  does  not  see 
fit  to  submit  to  the  aforesaid  judgment.  Adjourned  to  meet 
at  Sewickly  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  December.  Concluded 
with  prayer. 

The  meeting  at  Sewickly  being  prevented  by  the  extremity 
of  the  season,  the  members  who  did  attend,  appointed  to 
meet  at  the  stated  time,  at  Roundhill. 

FIFTEENTH    MEETING. 

ROUNDHILL,  April  17th,  1787.— Presbytery  met  ac- 
cording to  adjournment.  Ubi  post  preces  sederunt.  Rev. 
Messrs.  James  Finley,  &c.  Presbytery  opened  with  a  sermon 
from  Matthew  x.,  32,  33,  by  Mr.  Waite  Cornwell,  (26)  a 
licensed  candidate  from  an  association  of  Connecticut.  The 
Rev.  Samuel  Barr,  having  accepted  a  call  within  our  bounds 
— was  received  from  the  New  Castle  Presbytery. 

An  application  from  Sewickly,  requesting  one-fourth  part 
of  Mr.  Power's  time.  Mr.  Cornwell,  willing  to  tarry  some 
time  in  these  parts  and  under  the  direction  of  the  Presbytery, 
and  they  being  fully  satisfied  of  his  being  regularly  licensed, 

(26)  Waite  Cornwell.  The  librarian  of  Yale  College,  from  whom, 
through  the  Kev.  Dr.  Sprague,  information  about  Mr.  Cornwell  was 
sought,  states :  "  By  the  class  catalogue,  I  find  that  the  Rev.  Waite 
Cornwell  came  to  the  college  from  Middletown,  and  was  graduated  in 
1782.  In  Dr.  David  C.  Field's  Centennial  Address,  or  rather  in  a  note 
appended  to  it,  it  is  stated  that  Waite  Cornwell  preached  occasionally, 
but  never  had  charge  of  a  parish — moved,  late  in  life,  to  some  part  of 
the  state  of  Ohio,  where  he  died,  in  March,  1816.  I  find  nothing  more 
concerning  him."  The  Rev.  Dr.  Lindley  states  that  he  assisted  Mr. 
Dod,  during  a  revival  at  Lindley's  Fort,  in  1787.  His  health  was  feeble, 
which  probably  led  to  his  travelling,  and  prevented  his  settling  as  a 
pastor. 


JUDGMENT   IN   MR.    LATIMER's    CASE.  349 

and  of  his  good  moral  cliaracter,  from  liis  testimonials,  took 
him  under  their  direction. 

Mr.  Finley,  having  made  application  in  behalf  of  Unity 
Congregation  for  supplies  —  ^Ir.  Barr  appointed -to  inform 
them  by  writing,  "  That  the  Presbytery  are  surprised  that  the 
settlement  -with  Mr.  Power  is  deferred  so  long ;  and  that  they 
cannot  consistently  expect  any  supplies  until  such  settlement 
is  made."  Presbytery  find  that  members  had  fulfilled  their 
appointments  generally.    When  otherwise,  reasons  sustained. 

The  supplies  from  the  south  part  of  Sewickly  congregation 
being  taken  under  consideration,  it  is  thought  proper  that  the 
Kev.  Mr.  Claj-k,  Messrs.  A.  Mitchell,  and  A.  M'Clure  be  ap- 
pointed to  attend  at  the  usual  place  of  meeting  in  Sewickly 
congregation,  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  June  next,  in  order  to 
take  the  minds  of  the  people  in  both  parts  of  the  congrega- 
tion respecting  their  continuing  as  a  united  body.  And  if 
they  do  not  agree  to  remain  united,  to  see  that  a  fair  settle- 
ment be  made  with  Mr.  Power,  in  order  to  prepare  the  way 
for  a  dismission  at  our  next  meeting,  by  their  representatives, 
duly  prepared  to  give  such  light  as  may  be  necessary  in  order 
to  a  final  issue  of  the  matter. 

John  Hamilton  appeared  before  Presbytery,  and  desired 
that  a  new  committee  be  appointed  to  reconsider  his  affair. 
The  Presbytery  being  of  opinion  that  Mr.  Hamilton  has  not 
given  them  sufficient  reason  to  expect  any  new  light  on  the 
afi*air,  cannot  agree  to  grant  his  request,  and  consequently  do 
confirm  the  judgment  of  the  committee. 

George  Latimer  and  Deborah  Ross  being  present,  the 
Presbytery  proceeded  to  consider  their  affair.  The  Presby- 
tery, after  maturely  deliberating -upon  it,  and  examining  all 
the  witnesses  that  were  produced  on  either  side,  cannot  but 
testify  their  abhorrence  of  such  conduct  as  is  mentioned  in 
D.  Ross's  solemn  declaration  ;  and  had  there  been  no  obscurity 
thrown  on  her  evidence  by  the  seeming,  (though  perhaps  not 
ill-designed)  variations  in  her  conduct  and  evidence,  we  would 
have  been  very  clear  in  asserting  that  the  censure  in  the 


350        MESSRS.  M^GREADY  AND  PATTERSON  INTRODUCED. 

former  judgment  was  low,  but  as  Mrs.  Ross's  evidence  is 
rendered,  in  part,  somewhat  dubious,  although  there  is  too 
much  ground  to  suspect  immodest  conduct  in  Mr.  Latimer, 
yet  we  cannot,  with  sufficient  clearness,  fix  such  a  positive 
censure  upon  him — but  think  there  is  ground  for :  and  we  do 
hereby  admonish  him  to  be  more  cautious  and  watchful  in 
time  to  come :  and  as  this  affair  is  become  public,  do  order 
this  judgment  to  be  read  to  the  congregation  of  which  he  has 
been  a  member,  on  the  Sabbath  day.  To  this  judgment  the 
parties  submitted. 

Upon  inquiry,  congregations  are  satisfied  with  the  diligence 
and  care  of  their  pastors. 

Mr.  Clark  represents  that  the  congregation  of  Lebanon  has 
not  taken  effectual  measures  to  discharge  their  dues  to  him  ; 
and  that  he  apprehends  it  will  be  necessary  to  notify  said 
congregation  that  such  application  Vfill  be  made,  and  call 
upon  them  to  attend,  by  their  representatives,  duly  prepared 
to  do  what  is  necessary  in  the  affair.  Mr.  M'Clure  is  appointed 
to  notify  the  congregation  thereof. 

Messrs.  Joseph  Patterson  and  James  M'Gready,  having 
offered  themselves  to  be  taken  on  trial,  in  order  to  their  being 
licensed  to  preach  the  gospel,  the  Presbytery  proceeded  to 
examine  them  on  their  experimental  acquaintance  with  reli- 
gion, cases  of  conscience,  logic,  and  moral  philosophy,  and 
Mr.  M'Gready  on  Latin  and  Greek, —  all  sustained,  as  parts 
of  trial. 

Messrs.  Price  and  Hughes — their  Exegeses  sustained.  Mr. 
Price  appointed  to  prepare  a  discourse  on  John  vi.  29 ;  Mr. 
Hughes,  on  Rom.  iii.  28,  by  next  meeting.  Mr.  Patterson, 
an  Exegesis,  "  Whether  miracles  are  an  evidence  of  a  divine 
mission,  and  what  miracles  do  prove  such  mission?"  by  next 
meeting.  Mr.  M'Gready,  "An  sit  concursus  Dei  cum  omni- 
bus hominum  actionibus  ?"  by  next  meeting.  Presbytery 
proceeded  to  read  and  consider  the  plan  of  government  and 
discipline  proposed  by  the  committee  of  the  Synod  of  New 
York  and  Philadelphia,  and  find  many  things  which  should 


HISTORY  OF  LEBANON  CONGREGATION.        6bl 

be  nltcrct],  and  many  omitted,  ^vliicli,  ^\G  apprelicnd,  ought 
to  be  in  a  draught  of  church  discipline.  Adjourned  to  meet 
at  Lebanon  the  third  Tuesday  in  August.  Concluded  with 
pr<a3^er. 

SIXTEENTH    MEETING. 

LEBANON,  (27)  Aug.  21st,  1787.  (28)  — Presbytery  met, 
&c.  Opened  -with  a  sermon  by  Mr.  Dod  from  Psalms  ex.  3. 
Mr.  Barr  reports  —  fulfilled,  (his  writing  to  Unity  congrega- 


(27)  Lebaxox. — This  church  was  probably  organized  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
M'Millan  in  1778  or  1779.  Its  first  pastor  was  the  Eev.  John  Clark,  it 
being  then  united  with  Bethel  in  1781  or  1782.  Mr.  Clark  was  received 
into  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone,  at  Pigeon  Creek,  March  12th,  1783, 
(sec  Minutes,)  but  appears  to  have  entered  informally  upon  his  pastoral 
labors,  iu  his  united  charge  of  Bethel  and  Lebanon,  some  time  before. 
They  were  then  called  the  eastern  and  western  divisions  of  Peters' 
Creek  congregation.  The  pastoral  relation  between  Mr.  Clark  and 
Lebanon  was  dissolved  April  17th,  1788.  It  appears  to  have  continued 
vacant,  and  been  supplied  occasionally  by  the  Presbytery,  till  June  28th, 
1797,  when  it  united  again  with  Bethel,  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the 
Rev.  Wm.  Woods.  It  became  vacant  again  in  1820 ;  Bethel  taking  the 
whole  of  Mr.  W.'s  pastoral  labors  thenceforward.  It  subsequently  had 
as  its  pastors,  the  Rev.  T.  Baird,  (for  many  years  the  editor  of  the 
Christian  Herald,)  the  Rev.  S.  Henderson,  (now  of  Beaver  Presbytery,) 
the  Rev.  W.  G.  Johnston— dismissed,  June  21st,  1843— recalled,  August 
31st,  1843— again  dismissed,  April  15th,  1845  ;  the  Rev.  J.  M'Conoughy 
—settled,  January  30th,  184G— dismissed,  September  5th,  1848  ;  and  the 
Rev.  0.  II.  Miller,  the  present  pastor  — settled,  second  Thursday  in 
February,  1849.     Number  of  communicants  reported  in  1854  — 140. 

(28)  1787.  — During  this  year,  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States 
was  adopted,  and  our  country  commenced  a  new  career  of  prosperity. 
It  was  during  this  year,  also,  that  the  "  Ordinance  for  the  government 
of  the  North- Western  Territory"  was  passed,  which  resulted  in  immense 
benefit,  not  only  to  the  country  embraced  by  the  Territory,  but  to  west- 
ern Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  by  eventually  securing  complete  relief 
from  Indian  troubles,  and  opening  the  way  for  rapid  emigration  from 
western  Pennsylvania,  over  the  Ohio  river,  and  thus  carrying  Presby- 
terianism  over  the  boundless  West.  This  was,  therefore,  the  Atmus 
mirahilis  for  our  forefathers  ;  but  their  troubles  from  border  warfare  did 
not  entirely  cease  till  six  years  afterwards. 


352        CANDIDATES    EXAMINED  —  EXERCISES    APPOINTED. 

tion.)  The  committee  appointed  to  meet  at  Sewicklj — re- 
ported, fulfilled  —  and  that  after  all  their  endeavors,  found 
but  little  ground  to  expect  a  union ;  and  that  upon  this,  they 
urged  them  to  be  speedy,  and  use  their  utmost  endeavors  to 
settle  their  arrearages  to  Mr.  Power,  and  report  the  same  to 
this  Presbytery. 

Mr.  Power  reports  that  the  judgment  in  the  case  of  G. 
Latimer  and  D.  Ross  was  read  publicly,  according  to  order. 

Mr.  Robert  Hall  having  offered  some  reason  to  expect  new 
light  upon  an  affair  between  him  and  the  session  of  Mount 
Pleasant,  Presbytery  agreed  to  grant  them  a  new  hearing  at 
their  meeting  next  Spring ;  and  ordered  Mr.  Power  to  grant 
citations  for  witnesses  when  he  saw  it  necessary,  or  was  ap- 
plied to  for  that  purpose. 

The  affair  of  Mr.  Clark  and  Lebanon  congregation  deferred 
till  next  meeting. 

The  affair  of  Sewickly  congregation  and  Mr.  Power  being 
maturely  considered,  the  Presbytery,  after  all  the  light  they 
could  obtain,  found  it  necessary  that  the  pastoral  relation 
between  him  and  them  should  be  dissolved,  and  it  is  hereby 
dissolved.  The  Presbytery  also  enjoin  it  upon  said  congre- 
gation, that  they  take  effectual  measures  to  settle  and  pay 
off  their  arrearages  to  Mr.  Power,  and  report  the  same  at  the 
next  meeting  of  Presbytery.  Mr.  Power  is  appointed  to  read 
this  minute  publicly  to  the  congregation. 

Messrs.  Finley,  Power,  and  Dunlap  are  appointed  as  a  com- 
mittee to  examine  and  appoint  such  ministers  and  candidates 
as  may  come  into  our  bounds  until  October,  1788. 

Messrs.  Brice  and  Hughes  —  their  discourses  —  sustained.* 
Mr.  B.  had  appointed  to  him  a  Presbyterial  exercise  on  Heb. 
xi.  27,  and  Mr.  H.  on  Rom.  viii.  3,  by  next  meeting. 

Mr.  Patterson  —  his  Exegesis  —  sustained.'^  A  homily  ap- 
pointed to  him  on  Gal.  iii.  24,  by  next  meeting. 

*  These  and  similar  abbreviated  forms  of  expression,  in  these  cases, 
will  henceforward  be  employed. 


HISTORY  OF  BETHEL  CONG  REG  ATIOX.        353 

John  Brice,  Josepli  Patterson,  and  James  M'Gready,  exa- 
mined on  Natural  Philosophy,  and  James  Hughes  with  them 
on  Theology,  at  some  length  —  all  sustained.  Adjourned  to 
meet  at  Pigeon  Creek  the  third  Tuesday  in  October.  Con- 
cluded with  prayer. 

SEVENTEENTH    MEETING. 

PIGEON  CREEK,  Oct.  16th,  1787.— Presbytery  met,  &c. 
Opened  with  a  sermon  from  ^licah  vi.  8,  by  Mr.  Smith. 

The  affair  of  Mr.  Clark  and  Lebanon  congregation  deferred 
till  next  meeting,  as  no  commissioner  appears  from  that  con- 
gregation. The  Presbytery  recommend  to  that  congregation 
to  do  all  in  their  power  to  discharge  their  arrearages  to  Mr. 
Clark,  and  appear  at  our  next  meeting,  duly  prepared  to  have 
the  affair  finally  issued. 

No  report  from  Sewickly  congregation. 

Mr.  M'Gready  read  his  Exegesis,  which  was  sustained.  A 
homily  appointed  him  on  Rom.  iii.  31,  by  next  meeting. 

Messrs.  Price  and  Hughes  —  their  Presbj^terial  exercises — 
sustained.  A  lecture  appointed  to  Mr.  Hughes  on  Hebrews 
xii.  22-29;  and  to  Mr.  Brice,  on  John  iii.  1-9,  by  next 
meeting. 

Mr.  Patterson  —  his  homily — sustained.  A  Presbyterial 
exercise  on  Genesis  iii.  15,  appointed  him,  by  next  meeting. 
Adjourned  to  meet  at  Bethel,  the  second  Tuesday  in  Decem- 
ber.    Concluded  with  prayer. 

EIGHTEENTH    MEETING. 

BETHEL,  (29)  Tuesday,  Dec.  11th,  1787.— Presbytery 

(29)  BExriEL. — This  church,  in  Snov.'den  township,  Allegheny  County, 
is  one  of  the  oldest  of  our  western  churches.  In  the  latter  part  of  1778, 
or  early  in  1779,  the  Rev.  Dr.  M'Millan  first  preached  the  gospel  within 
its  bounds ;  and,  probably,  about  that  time  organized  the  church.  The 
Rev.  John  Clark  became  its  pastor  about  the  year  1781.  It  was  then 
united  with  Lebanon,  under  his  pastoral  care.  Its  bounds  were  at  first 
quite  extensive.  Several  Presbyterian  churches  have  since  been  formed 
23 


854  LEBANON  DOING  BETTER. 

met,  &c.  Opened  with  a  lecture  from  John  iii.  1-9 ,  by  Mr. 
J.  Brice. 

Mr.  Patterson  —  his  Presbyterial  exercise — sustained.  A 
lecture  on  John  xv.  1-8,  assigned  to  him  by  next  meeting. 

Mr.  M'Gready  —  his  homily  —  sustained.  A  Presbyterial 
exercise  on  Heb.  ii.  9-16,  assigned  hira  by  next  meeting. 

Messrs.  Brice,  Hughes,  Patterson,  and  M'Gready  examined 
on  systematic  theology  —  sustained.  Messrs.  Brice  and 
Hughes — lectures — sustained.  A  popular  sermon  on  Phillip- 
pians  ii.  12,  latter  clause,  assigned  to  Mr.  Brice  —  and  on 
Psalms  Ixxxix.  16,  to  Mr.  Hughes  —  by  next  meeting.  The 
Presbytery  finding  that  the  affair  between  Mr.  Clark  and 
Lebanon  congregation  is  in  a  fair  way  to  be  settled,  defer 
any  further  procedure  therein  till  our  next  meeting.  Ad- 
journed to  meet  at  Mount  Pleasant,  third  Tuesday  of  April. 
Concluded  with  prayer. 

within  its  original  limits  :  Bethany,  (now  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Jeffery,)  Pisgah,  Centre,  and  Concord.  Its  first  elders  were 
James  Dinsmore,  James  Brice,  and  James  Kirkpatrick.  Mr.  Clark 
continued  its  pastor  till  his  death,  July  13th,  1797.  But  a  short  time 
before  his  death,  the  Rev.  Wm.  Woods,  a  native  of  Lancaster  County, 
and  a  graduate  of  Dickinson  College — having  received  his  theological 
training  partly  from  the  Rev.  Dr.  R.  Smith,  of  Pequea,  and  partly  from 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Witherspoon  —  after  spending  some  time  as  a  missionary 
licentiate,  accepted  a  call  from  this  church,  in  union  with  Lebanon,  and 
was  ordained  and  installed  their  pastor,  June  28th,  1797.  His  pastoral 
relation  was  dissolved  in  1831,  and  he  died  Oct.  17th,  1834.  He  was 
succeeded  by  the  Rev.  George  Marshall,  the  present  pastor,  in  1832.  It 
is  now  a  sole  pastoral  charge,  and  had  been  so  some  time  before  Mr. 
Woods  ceased  to  be  its  pastor.  Though  it  has  been  a  mother  of  churches, 
it  still  retains  its  strength  and  vigor — numbering  about  176  members. 
It  has  enjoyed  many  seasons  of  refreshing  visitations  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 
The  first  was  in  1787,  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  John  Clark.  It 
shared  largely  in  the  blessed  influence  of  the  widely  extended  revivals 
of  1803-4,  and  has  had  some  cheering  seasons  of  divine  power  and 
grace  since  that  period.  It  has  also,  by  emigration,  made  many  valu- 
able contributions  to  western  churches.  Not  only  private  members, 
but  many  elders  and  ministers,  born  and  reared  in  its  bounds,  are  to  be 
found  in  the  wide  West. 


THE    FIRST    GREAT    YANKEE    EMIGRATION.  355 

NINETEENTH    MEETING. 

MOUNT  PLEASANT,  (30)  Tuesday,  April  15th,  1T88.— 
Presbytery  met,  &c.     Presbytery  was  opened  by  a  sermon  on 

(30)  A  few  days  before  this  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  in  Dr.  Power's 
church,  an  event  of  some  notoriety  had  occurred  in  the  bounds  of  his 
Sewickly  charge.  A  large  number  of  emigrants  from  New  England 
had  come  out,  the  previous  fall,  and  had  spent  some  time  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  what  is  now  "West  Newton,  then  called  Simeralls'  Ferry.  Late 
in  the  fall  they  launched  their  boat,  which  they  called  the  "  ]May-flower," 
and  set  off  fur  their  future  home,  down  the  Youghiogheny,  and  Monon- 
gahela,  and  the  Ohio,  and  formed  their  settlement  at  Marietta.  Dr. 
Ilidrett,  of  Marietta,  gives  the  following  account  of  their  starting  their 
boat  from  Robstown,  or  West  Newton : 

"  After  laying  in  a  stock  of  provisions,  they  pushed  out  merrily  into 
the  *  Yoh,'  as  it  was  familiarly  called  by  all  the  borderers  of  that  region, 
and  floated  rapidly  along,  sometimes  grazing  on  the  shallows,  and  at 
other  times  grounding  on  the  sand-bars.  By  dint  of  rowing  and  push- 
ing, they  made  out  to  get  on,  especially  after  falling  into  the  larger  cur- 
rent of  the  Monongahela,  and  reached  Pittsburg  on  Sunday  evening. 
They  were  now  at  the  junction  of  those  two  noble  streams,  the  Alle- 
gheny and  the  Monongahela,  and  saw  the  waters  of  the  charming  Ohio, 
the  object  of  all  their  toils,  and  were,  apparently,  at  the  end  of  their 
journey.  Near  the  point  of  land  where  the  Ohio  takes  its  name,  they 
landed  their  uncouth  and  unwieldy  water-craft,  making  it  fast  to  a  stake 
on  the  bank.  It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  —  and  the  men  went  up  into 
the  town,  to  purchase  some  articles  needed  to  make  the  families  com- 
fortable on  their  downward  voyage.  Pittsburg  then  contained  4  or  500 
inhabitants,  several  stores ;  and  a  small  garrison  of  troops  was  kept  in 
old  Fort  Pitt.  To  our  travellers,  who  had  lately  seen  nothing  but  trees 
and  rocks,  with  here  and  there  a  solitary  hut,  it  seemed  to  be  quite  a 
large  town.  The  houses  were  chiefly  built  of  logs ;  but,  now  and  then, 
one  had  assumed  the  appearance  of  neatness  and  comfort." 

Such  was  the  beginning  of  that  new  emigration  which  tilled  the  great 
territory  with  a  civilized  population,  that  has  converted  the  wilderness 
into  a  garden,  and  made  the  valleys  to  bloom  as  a  rose.  Some  of  these 
emigrants  had  tarried  behind,  and  lodged  with  Mr.  Power's  people 
through  the  winter,  and  were  just  gone  when  this  Presbytery  met  at 
Mount  Pleasant.  One  tradition  is,  that  another  emigrating  party,  ar- 
riving to  join  their  friends  at  Simerall's  Ferry,  did  not  get  on  "in  time 
for  the  boat,"  and  remained,  along  with  some  who  had  been  left  of  the 


356        MR.  Hamilton's  case  —  now  disposed  of. 

Philippians  ii.  12,  by  Mr.  Brice.     Messrs.  Brice  and  Hughes 
— sermons — sustained. 

The  Commissioners  appeared  from  Unity  congregation,  and 
report  that  they  have  discharged  the  greater  part  of  what  was 
due  from  them  to  Mr.  Povter,  and  that  they  will  use  their 
utmost  endeavors  to  have  the  whole  discharged  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible. The  Presbytery  do  therefore  agree  to  appoint  them 
supplies.  "  The  Presbytery  having  received,"  &c.,  (see  For- 
mula for  the  Government  of  the  Church,  Chapter  14,  Section 
8,)  Messrs.  John  Brice  and  James  Hughes  were  licensed  to 
preach  the  gospel.  Messrs.  Patterson  and  M'Gready — lec- 
tures— sustained. 

Mr.  Hamilton  having  made  application  for  advice  respect- 
ing a  difference  subsisting  between  him  and  George  Glenn, 
the  Presbytery  appoint  the  representatives  of  Donegal  con- 
gregation to  endeavor  to  settle  said  difference,  which,  if  they 
cannot  effect,  the  Presbytery  order  the  parties  to  appear  be- 
fore Mr.  Power's  session,  at  such  time  as  it  may  be  convenient 
for  said  session  to  attend  upon  them. 

John  Coleman  (31)  having  left  his  wife  in  Ireland,  and  mar- 
first  party,  to  take  care  of  their  beasts  through  the  winter,  and  take  the 
land  route  in  the  spring.  These  New  England  folks  introduced  the 
new  tunes — especially  the  fugueing  music,  as  it  was  called,  among  our 
Scotch-Irish  people  —  that  winter.  Two  or  three  of  them  were  good 
singing-masters :  one  of  them,  M'Knight,  went  up,  in  his  vocation,  as 
far  as  Dunlap's  Creek.  The  good  old  "  twelve  tunes  of  David/'  as  they 
were  considered  by  some,  were  all  that  were  known  previously.  The 
introduction  of  these  tunes,  in  some  of  the  churches,  raised  quite  a 
breeze.  In  one  instance,  when  the  Clerk  opened,  with  full  blast,  on 
one  of  them,  some  one  of  the  old  people  struck  in  upon  one  of  their  old 
favorites,  and  made  such  sad  confusion,  that  Col.  Cooke,  who  was  pre- 
sent, rose,  and  seconding  the  remarks  of  his  distressed  pastor,  gave  the 
people  a  severe  rebuke  and  sharp  lecture,  which  completely  humbled 
and  subdued  them. 

(31)  The  case  of  John  Coleman  would  have  occasioned  some  difficulty 
had  it  been  brought  to  an  issue.     But,  as  it  will  appear  in  the  sequel, 
it  was  deferred  until  one  of  their  members,  Mr.  Power,  along  with  the. 
session  of  Salem,  should  take  further  testimony,  and  report.     This  is 


JOHN    COLEMAN'S    CASE.  357 

ried  another  in  tins  country,  his  former  wife  being  yet  alive, 
makes  application  to  this  Presbytery  to  be  restored  to  church 
privileges ;  alleging  that,  by  the  laws  of  God  and  man,  he  was 
free  from  her,  as  by  her  conduct,  in  his  absence,  she  had 
violated  her  marriage  covenant  in  a  very  essential  part,  of 
which  he  had  sufficient  information  before  his  second  mar- 
riage—  which  he  proposes  to  support  by  evidence.  (Three 
witnesses  —  Alexander  Hunter,  Barbara  Hunter  and  Robert 
Reyburn  —  were  brought  forward,  and,  on  oath,  deposed 
many  things  very  unfavorable  to  the  character  of  the  first 
wife;  and  as  Mr.  Coleman  proposed  to  adduce  other  witnesses, 
Mr.  Power  was  appointed,  together  with  the  session  of  Salem, 
to  take  their  evidence,  and  report  the  same  at  the  next  meeting 
of  Presbytery,  in  the  fall.) 

The  Presbytery,  according  to  the  order  of  our  last  August 
meeting,  proceeded  to  consider  the  aifair  of  Mr.  Hall  and  the 
session  of  Mount  Pleasant;  and  after  fully  hearing  both  par- 
ties, do  judge  that,  though  Mr.  Hall  was  disappointed  in  his 
expectations,  and  might  thereby  be  a  sufferer,  yet  we  do  not 
think  that  Mr.  Power  was  to  blame,  nor  that  Mr.  Hall  had 
any  just  reasons  for  using  some  expressions  reflecting  on  Mr. 
Power's  character;  and  we  further  judge,  that,  before  he  be 
restored  to  distinguishing  privileges,  he  acknowledge  his  rash- 
ness in  using  such  expressions,  and  that  he  be  admonished  by 

the  last  we  hear  of  it.  Yet  the  man,  by  his  witnesses,  before  Presby- 
tery, had  made  out  a  strong  case  of  conjugal  infidelity,  before  he  mar- 
ried his  second  wife.  It  appears  that,  three  years  before,  (1785,)  the 
Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia  were  much  divided,  in  their  sen- 
timents, on  this  subject.  The  following  question  had  been  referred  to 
them,  by  the  Donegal  Presbytery,  for  their  decision,  viz. : 

"  Whether,  on  full  proof  of  adultery  by  one  pnrty,  the  Presbytery  has 
a  right  to  declare  the  marriage  so  void,  as  that  the  innocent  party  may 
marry  again,  without  being  liable  to  church  censure  ?  And  after  some 
time  spent  in  debating  the  case,  it  was  moved  and  agreed  that  each 
member  should  speak  to  the  question,  in  the  order  of  the  roll.  After 
which  the  vote  was  taken,  and  the  question  carried  in  the  aflBrmative, 
by  a  small  majority."     (Printed  Records,  pp.  500-10.) 


358  JOHN  barret's  affair. 

the  Moderator.  To  this  judgment  Mr.  Hall  submitted,  and 
was  admonished  accordingly. 

The  Presbytery  finding  that  there  are  no  good  grounds  to 
expect  that  the  affair  between  Mr.  Clark  and  the  Lebanon 
congregation  will  be  comfortably  settled,  do  therefore  judge 
that  the  pastoral  relation  between  him  and  that  congregation 
ought  to  be  dissolved,  and  is  hereby  dissolved ;  and  enjoin 
them  to  produce  a  settlement  with  Mr.  Clark,  at  our  next 
meeting ;  and  Mr.  Clark  is  hereby  appointed  to  preach  in 
that  congregation  on  a  week-day,  and  Mr.  Shields  to  read 
this  minute. 

Ordered,  that  those  who  have  not  produced  settlements 
bring  them  in  at  our  next  meeting. 

A  reference  being  brought  from  Lebanon  congregation,  re- 
specting a  certain  John  Barret,  the  consideration  whereof  was 
deferred  till  this  meeting ;  but  he  not  attending,  the  Presby- 
tery further  defer  it  until  our  next  meeting,  and  cite  him  to 
attend. 

A  popular  sermon,  1  John  v.  4,  assigned  to  Mr.  Patterson ; 
on  Romans  v.  20,  to  Mr.  M'Gready  —  by  our  next  meeting. 
Adjourned  to  meet  at  Chartiers,  second  Tuesday  of  August. 
Concluded  with  prayer. 

TWENTIETH  MEETING. 

CHARTIERS,  Tuesday,  August  12th,  1788.— Presbytery 
met  according  to  adjournment,  &c.  The  Presbytery  opened 
with  a  sermon  from  I.  John  v.  4,  by  Mr.  Patterson ;  Mr. 
M'Gready,  also,  a  sermon  on  Romans  v.  20  —  both  of  which 
sustained. 

Mr.  Power  informs  Presbytery  that  the  affair  between 
William  Hamilton  and  John  Glen  is  settled.  Mr.  Clark  ful- 
filled his  appointment  at  Lebanon — no  settlement  yet  obtained. 
"The  Presbytery  having  received,"  &c.,  Messrs.  Joseph  Pat- 
terson and  James  M'Gready,(32)  &c.,  (see  Formula  for  the 
Government  of  the  Church,  Chapter  14,  Section  8,)  they  were 


VIEWS    OF   OUR   FATHERS    ON   BAPTISM.  359 

licensed  to  preach  the  gospel.  Application  being  made  to 
this  Presbytery  for  their  judgment  in  the  following  case,  viz., 
"Whether  ministers  ought,  in  the  administration  of  baptism, 
to  require  of  parents  to  promise  to  perform  certain  duties,  or 
only  to  recommend  the  performance  of  them  ?"  The  Presby- 
tery are  unanimously  of  opinion,  that  it  is  the  duty  of  minis- 
ters not  only  to  recommend,  but  to  require  of  parents  a  solemn 
promise  that  they  will,  through  grace,  conscientiously  per- 
form certain  duties  which  are  usually  mentioned  on  such  occa- 
sions. (33)  Adjourned  to  meet  at  Rehoboth,  third  Tuesday 
of  October.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

(32)  Biographical  Sketch  of  James  M'Gready.  —  The 
name  of  M'Gready  is  connected  with  revivals.  He  was  blest 
in  being  instrumental  of  a  revival  of  religion,  in  his  early 

(33)  This  unanimous  expression  of  the  views  of  the  Presbytery  shows 
how  much  they  dissented  from  the  more  lax  views  and  practice  too  pre- 
valent in  some  parts  of  our  church,  at  the  present  day.  The  New  School 
brethren  often,  now-a-days,  assert  that  the  old  fath'ers  of  our  Western 
church  leaned,  in  their  sympathies,  to  the  New-side  party  of  a  still 
earlier  period;  and  that  as  they  (the  New  School)  claim  to  be  the  de- 
gtcendants  of  the  New-side  party  of  former  times,  they  have  a  stronger 
claim  of  kindred  to  the  founders  of  the  Western  church  than  we  have. 
The  claim  is  absurd.  Our  fathers  possessed  some  of  the  best  qualities 
of  both  the  old  parties — the  revival  spirit  of  the  New-side,  and  the  strict 
rules  of  discipline  of  the  Old-side.  How  little  like  the  sentiments  or 
language  of  the  above  minute  is  the  following,  from  the  Records  of  the 
New-side  Synod  of  New  York ! 

"  Previously  to  the  administration  of  baptism,  the  minister  shall  in- 
quire into  the  parents'  knowledge  of  the  great  and  fundamental  doc- 
trines of  the  gospel,  and  the  regularity  of  their  life ;  and  being  satis- 
fied, so  as  to  admit  them,  shall,  in  public,  point  out  the  special  duties 
of  the  parents,  and  particularly  that  they  teach  their  children  the  doc- 
trines and  precepts  of  Christianity  contained  in  the  Scriptures  of  the 
Old  and  New  Testament,  and  comprised  in  the  Westminster  Confession 
of  Faith  and  Catechisms,  which,  therefore,  they  shall  recommend  unto 
them.''     (See  Records,  p.  2G6.) 

Our  fathers  were  conscientiously^areful  in  binding  solemn  vows  upon 
parents,  when  they  applied  the  seal  of  the  covenant  to  their  children. 


360  A    BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH   OF 

ministry,  in  North  Carolina,  the  salutary  effects  of  which  are 
felt  to  this  day  in  churches,  in  different  States,  enjoying  the 
labors  of  faithful  men  who  then  came  into  the  visible  church 
of  Christ,  on  a  profession  of  faith.  Subsequently  he  was 
honored  of  God  to  be  the  first  agent  that  moved  successfully 
in  breaking  up  the  deep  sleep  that  weighed  down  the  Chris- 
tian public ;  and  was  personally  active  in  the  commencement 
of  that  revival  which  began,  in  1800,  in  Kentucky,  and  soon 
was  felt  in  Tennessee,  Ohio  and  Western  Pennsylvania — in 
1802,  on  to  1804,  and  was  enjoyed  in  parts  of  North  Carolina, 
South  Carolina  and  Virginia.  The  fruits  of  this  revival  re- 
main to  this  day,  and  will  be  felt,  in  their  remote  conse- 
quences, forever,  in  these  United  States,  and  wherever  else 
the  gospel  has  been  preached,  by  those  who  may  be  considered 
the  fruits,  more  or  less  direct,  of  this  great  display  of  the 
divine  Spirit  upon  the  hearts  of  men. 

Who  was  M'Gready?  His  parents  were  of  the  Scotch- 
Irish  race;  but  whether  they  emigrated  from  Ireland,  or  were 
born  in  Pennsylvania,  is  not  now  known.  When  he  was  quite 
young,  they  removed  to  Carolina,  and  settled  in  Guilford 
County.  Here  James  passed  part  of  his  boyhood,  and  part 
of  his  youth,  in  such  labor  as  persons  of  no  very  extensive 
property  were,  in  those  years,  accustomed  to  in  Carolina. 

The  sedateness  of  the  youth,  and  his  punctuality  in  reli- 
gious duties,  united  to  a  desire  for  religious  improvement,  so 
pleased  an  uncle  of  his,  who  was  on  a  visit  to  his  father's, 
that  he  conceived  the  idea  of  having  James  educated  for  the 
ministry,  and  prevailed  on  his  parents  to  consent  to  his  taking 
their  son  with  him  to  Pennsylvania,  to  secure  an  education  in 
preparation  for  his  preaching  the  gospel.  His  uncle  believed 
him  to  be  religious ;  he  thought  so  himself.  In  speaking  of 
these,  his  early  days  and  impressions,  Mr.  M'Gready  used  to 
say  that  he  never  omitted  prayer  from  the  time  he  was  seven 
years  old ;  and  having  been  preserved  from  outbreaking  sins, 
from  profane  swearing,  from  intoxication,  and  from  Sabbath- 
breaking  and  other  excesses,  he  had  begun  to  think  that  he 


THE    REV.    JAMES    M'GREADY.  361 

Tvas  sanctified  from  his  birth.  He  was  placed  with  Dr.  M'Mil- 
lan,  and  obtained  employment  for  a  season  as  an  assistant  on 
the  farm — a  temporary  arrangement,  no  doubt,  until  he  could 
regularly  begin  his  studies.  lie  was  seized  with  a  dangerous 
illness  —  the  small-pox  —  and  lay  some  time  so  low  that  little 
hope  was  entertained  of  his  life.  But  at  length  he  slowly 
recovered.  How  far  his  self-righteous  Pharisaism  was  shaken 
by  this  affliction,  is  not  known.  On  the  first  Sabbath  that 
he  was  able  to  attend  public  worship,  he  was  present,  some- 
where in  the  Mingo  Creek  Settlement,  where  Dr.  M'Millan 
had  appointed  an  administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper  on  that 
day.  The  Rev.  Joseph  Smith,  of  Buffalo,  assisted.  Mr. 
Smith's  sermon  was  made  instrumental  in  the  conversion  of 
James  M'Grready.  He  ever  afterwards  spoke  of  him  as  his 
spiritual  father.  This  statement,  which  we  have  from  a  living 
witness,  and  which  seems  to  have  been  unknown  to  Drs. 
Foote  and  Davidson,  is  confirmed  by  an  interesting  fact  re- 
lated on  the  testimony  of  Mr.  George  Anderson,  of  St.  Clairs- 
ville,  by  Dr.  Elliott,  in  his  Sketch  of  the  late  Dr.  John  An- 
derson, of  Upper  Buffalo,  appended  to  his  "  Life  of  Ma- 
curdy  :" — 

"  He,  (Dr.  A.,)  was  first  awakened  to  a  serious  concern 
about  his  eternal  interests  under  the  preaching  of  the  Rev. 
James  M'Gready,  who  himself  had  been  converted  through 
the  instrumentality  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Smith,  pastor  of  the 
church  of  Upper  Buffalo.  These  facts,  taken  in  connexion 
with  Dr.  Anderson's  settlement  in  that  church,  are  sufficiently 
curious,  as  illustrating  the  providence  of  God  in  the  whole 
matter.  Mr.  M'Gready  is  sent  from  Carolina  to  be  taught 
the  way  of  salvation  by  Mr.  Smith.  He  is  then  sent  back 
to  Carolina  to  be  the  instrument  of  Dr.  Anderson's  conver- 
sion ;  and  then  Dr.  Anderson  is  sent  to  Western  Pennsyl- 
vania to  be  the  pastor  of  the  flock  which  Mr.  Smith  had 
gathered  at  Upper  Buffalo.  Truly  God  moves  in  a  myste- 
rious way." 

Mr.  Smith,  in  the   course  of  that   fall  (1785),  opened   a 


362  A   BIOGRAPniCAL    SKETCH    OF 

school  to  prepare  young  men  for  the  gospel  ministry ;  and 
Mr.  M'Gready  immediately  repaired  to  that  school,  and  after 
pursuing  his  studies  there  for  some  time,  returned  to  a  simi- 
lar school  that  was  then  begun  under  the  care  of  Dr.  M'Mil- 
lan.  Here  he  hastened  through  his  literary  and  theological 
studies,  and  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone,  as 
we  have  seen  above,  August  13th,  1788.  Numerous  "  sup- 
plies "  were  assigned  to  him  till  the  fall  meeting  of  Presby- 
tery. At  that  meeting,  October  22d,  as  will  be  seen,  he 
obtained  leave  to  travel  to  Carolina  during  the  ensuing  winter. 
Mr.  M'Millan  was  appointed  to  furnish  him  with  suitable  cre- 
dentials. More  than  two  years  afterwards,  the  Presbytery, 
at  their  sessions  held  at  Dunlap's  Creek,  April  20th,  1791, 
record  the  following  minute  :  "  Mr.  James  M'Gready,  being 
detained  by  sickness  in  the  bounds  of  the  Orange  Presbytery, 
applied,  by  letter,  for  a  dismission  to  that  Presbytery.  The 
Presbytery  ordered  the  clerk  to  send  him  a  dismission  and  a 
letter  of  advice  on  the  occasion."  He  was  about  30  years 
of  age  when  licensed.  On  his  way  back  to  Carolina,  he 
passed  through  the  places  in  Virginia  which  had  been  visited 
by  the  revival  that  spread  so  far  and  wide  under  the  minis- 
trations of  J.  B.  Smith  and  William  Graham,  in  1788  and 
1789.  He  made  some  stay  in  Prince  Ed*ward,  at  Hampden, 
Sydney  College,  then  under  the  care  of  Dr.  Smith,  that 
eminently  successful  minister  of  Christ.  With  his  heart 
warmed  by  what  he  heard  and  saw,  he  reached  Guilford,  pre- 
pared to  bear  a  testimony  to  men  in  favor  of  divine  truth  in 
its  spiritual  application.  Religion  was  at  this  time  at  a  low 
ebb  in  most  of  the  Carolina  churches.  Spiritual  apathy  and 
formality  had  crept  over  the  majority  of  professors.  Many 
practices  and  customs,  at  variance  with  a  healthful  state  of 
religion,  were  countenanced.  Among  other  things  of  a  very 
objectionable  nature,  which  had  become  prevalent,  was  the 
habit  of  distributing  spirituous  liquors  at  funerals.  Provi- 
sions of  some  kind  were  set  out.  To  preserve  the  appearance 
of  religion,  some  one  —  an  officer  of  the  church,  if  present  — 


THE    HEV.    JAMES    M'GREADY.  363 

was  called  upon  to  open  the  scene  of  eating  and  drinking  by 
asking  a  blessing  on  the  refreshments  prepared.  Mr.  M'Gready 
attended  such  a  funeral  soon  after  his  return  to  Guilford,  and 
was  called  upon  to  ask  a  blessing.  "  No,"  he  replied,  "  I  Avill 
not  be  guilty  of  insulting  God  by  asking  a  blessing  upon  what 
I  know  to  be  wrong  !"  The  startling  effect  of  this  remark 
may  be  imagined.  The  attention  of  the  neighborhood  was 
turned  to  him.  He  commenced  preaching  along  Haw  Eiver, 
and  in  various  other  places  in  Guilford.  His  first  sermons 
were  directed  against  the  formality  and  deadness  of  church 
members.  Under  his  searching  addresses,  they  fek  themselves 
unworthy  to  be  acknowledged  as  members  of  Christ's  visible 
kingdom,  and  abhorred  themselves  in  dust  and  ashes.  He  ex- 
celled in  public  prayer.  Often  the  congregation  was  in  tears 
under  the  influence  of  his  devotions.  In  his  delivery  he  was 
solemn,  and  sometimes  very  animated  from  the  commence- 
ment. ^Yherever  he  preached  the  excitement  was  great.  An 
extensive  revival  of  religion  prevailed  through  Orange,  and 
some  of  the  adjoining  counties,  mainly  the  result  of  the  divine 
blessing  on  the  labors  of  M'Gready. 

In  1796,  he  removed  to  Kentucky  and  settled  in  Logan 
County.  He  had  three  congregations — Muddy,  Red,  and 
Gasper  Rivers.  In  the  two  latter,  began  that  mighty  revival 
which  spread  so  far  and  wide  through  all  the  West  in 
1800,  1801,  1802,  1808,  and  1804.  Mr.  M'Gready  was  one 
of  the  sons  of  Thunder,  both  in  manner  and  matter ;  and 
an  uncompromising  reprover  of  sin  in  every  shape.  It  was 
not  long  till  the  effect  of  his  impassioned  preaching  was  visi- 
ble. During  the  summer  of  1797  and  '98,  there  was  conside- 
rable solicitude  evinced  in  the  above-named  congregations. 
But  it  soon  subsided.  The  summer  of  1799  witnessed  a 
renewal  of  the  excitement,  which  grew  and  deepened  until  it 
reached  its  height,  in  1800  and  1801.  In  the  words  of 
M'Gready,  ''  it  exceeded  every  thing  his  eyes  had  ever  beheld 
on  earth,  and  to  which  all  that  had  preceded  it  was  but  an 
introduction — as  a  few  drops  before  a  mighty  rain.''    We  can- 


364  HUGH  sterling's  appeal. 

not  here  attempt  the  narrative.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  this 
distinguished  servant  of  God,  with  some  occasional  irregulari- 
ties, which  he  lived  to  correct,  pursued  his  bright  and  useful 
career  for  many  years ;  and  was  instrumental,  directly  or 
indirectly,  in  the  conversion  of  many  souls,  most  of  whom 
are  now  rejoicing  before  the  throne.  Towards  the  close  of 
his  career  he  removed  to  the  town  of  Henderson,  on  the  Ohio 
River,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days,  and  died  in 
1817.  * 

The  above  sketch  we  have  collected  from  various  sources — 
principally  from  Dr.  Foote's  *'  Sketches  of  North  Carolina," 
and  Dr.  Davidson's  "  History  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Kentucky ;"  works  which  we  cannot  too  warmly  recommend 
to  the  reader  as  replete  with  interest  upon  this  and  many 
other  subjects.  If  Mr.  Smith,  of  Buffalo,  and  Dr.  M'Millan 
and  the  Old  Presbytery  of  Redstone,  had  done  nothing  more 
than  train  such  a  man  as  M'Gready,  they  had  not  lived  in 
vain. 

TWENTY-FIRST   MEETING. 

REHOBOTH,  Tuesday,  October  21st,  1788.— Presbytery 
met,  according  to  adjournment.  Ubi,  post  preces,  sederunt, 
the  Rev.  Messrs.,  &c.  The  Presbytery  was  opened  with  a 
sermon  from  Jer.  x.  25,  by  Mr.  Dunlap.  Ordered,  that 
the  act  of  Synod  respecting  the  settlement  of  litigious  suits 
in  the  congregations  under  their  care  be  published  and  recom- 
mended, both  by  the  ministers  of  Presbytery,  and  the  proba- 
tioners under  their  care. 

Messrs.  Finley,  Power,  and  Dunlap,  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  examine  and  appoint  such  ministers  and  candidates 
as  may  come  into  our  bounds. 

An  appeal  from  the  judgment  of  the  session  of  Bethel 
congregation  was  brought  in  by  Hugh  Sterling  and  read; 
together  with  all  the  papers  relative  thereto.  The  Presbytery 
having  maturely  considered  the  matter,  and  also  having 
enquired  of  the  moderator  of  the  session,  and  of  Mr.  Clark, 


APPOINTMENT    OF    A    FAST    DAY.  365 

T^'llO  was  present  at  the  time,  respecting  the  manner  in  ^Y]lIch 
Mr.  Tidball  submitted  to  the  judgment  of  the  session ;  and 
found  that  both  agreed  that  Mr.  Tidball  declared  that  he  did 
not  remember  his  denying  his  promise  to  give  the  order  ;  but 
if  he  did,  it  must  have  been  in  a  passion,  and  "VNithout  due 
consideration,  and  was  a  deviation  from  the  truth  in  words, 
though  not  in  design :  and  that  the  submission  was  not  there- 
fore  absolute  but  conditional.  The  Presbytery  maturely 
deliberating  on  the  whole,  do  unanimously  conclude  that  the 
sessions  are  defective  in  their  minutes,  and  ought  to  have 
been  more  cautious  in  their  judgment  respecting  Mr.  Tidball. 
In  other  respects,  we  see  no  reason  to  alter  their  judgment 
with  regard  to  Hugh  Sterling.  The  Presbytery  order  that 
Mr.  Clark  read  this  judgment,  together  with  the  judgment  of 
sessions  in  the  congregation  of  Bethel. 

Mr.  Dunlap  having  applied  for  a  dismission  from  the  con- 
gregation of  Dunlap's  creek,  the  Presbytery  order  that  the 
congregation  be  notified  thereof,  and  attend  at  our  next 
Spring's  meeting,  to  show  reasons,  if  any  they  have,  why  Mr. 
Dunlap's  request  should  not  be  granted. 

The  Presbytery,  taking  into  their  serious  consideration 
the  declension  of  vital  religion  among  us,  the  spreading  of 
error,  the  threatening  aspect  of  Divine  Providence,  in  respect 
to  the  seasons,  and  the  great  danger  we  are  in  of  provoking 
God  to  withdraw  the  gracious  influences  of  his  spirit,  do 
therefore  think  it  their  incumbent  duty  to  appoint  a  day  of 
fasting  and  prayer,  to  be  observed  in  their  respective  congre- 
gations, and  vacancies  under  their  care,  to  implore  a  plentiful 
outpouring  of  Divine  influences  upon  the  churches  in  general, 
and  upon  this  infant  church  in  this  land,  in  particular ;  and 
at  the  same  time,  to  acknowledge  with  gratitude,  the  many 
mercies,  both  special  and  common,  conferred  upon  us,  and 
deprecate  the  judgments  which  now  threaten  us.  The  Pres- 
bytery do  therefore  appoint  the  third  Thursday  of  November 
next  to  be  observed  for  the  above  purposes. 

Mr.  M'Gready  having  obtained  leave  to  travel  to  Carolina 


366  A    BIOGRAPIirCAL    SKETCH    OF 

during  the  ensuing  winter,  Mr.  M'Millan  is  appointed  to  fur- 
nish him  with  suitable  credentials.  Adjourned  to  meet  at 
Chartiers,  on  the  third  Wednesday  of  January  next.  Con- 
cluded with  prayer. 

TWENTY-SECOND    MEETING. 

CHARTIERS,  Wednesday,  January  21st,  1789.  Pres- 
bytery met,  kc.  The  Presbytery  was  opened  with  a  sermon 
from  Acts  xvi.,  31,  by  Mr.  Dod. 

Mr.  John  M'Pherrin,  (34)  having,  at  our  last  meeting, 
offered  himself  to  be  taken  on  trials,  in  order  to  his  being 
licensed  to  preach  the  gospel,  the  Presbytery  conversed  with 
him  upon  his  experimental  acquaintance  with  religion,  and 
proposed  to  him  several  cases  of  conscience,  and  having 
obtained  satisfaction  on  these  points,  agreed  to  take  hira  on 
trials,  and  appointed  him  an  Exegesis. — "  Num  Christus,  qua 
mediator,  adorandus  sit?"  by  our  next  meeting,  and  which, 
being  now  read,  was  sustained. 

Mr.  Samuel  Porter,  (35)  having  offered  himself  to  be  taken 
on  trials,  in  order  to  his  being  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel — 
the  Presbytery,  having  received  sufficient  testimonials  of  his 
good  moral  conduct,  and  of  his  being  a  regular  member  of 
the  church,  proceeded  to  converse  with  him  upon  his  experi- 
mental acquaintance  with  religion,  and  proposed  to  him  several 
cases  of  conscience ;  and  having  obtained  satisfaction  on  these 
points,  agreed  to  take  him  on  trials. 

Messrs.  M'Pherrin  and  Porter  examined  on  Latin  and 
Greek  languages  and  logic — and  at  some  length  on  Divinity 
— all  sustained. 

Mr.  Pherrin — a  homily  on  Matthew  v.  8, — and  Presbyterial 
exercises  on  Romans  iii.  25 — by  next  meeting. 

Mr.  Porter — an  Exegesis — "An  lapsus  Adami  omnibus  ejus 
posteris  naturali  generatione  ab  eo  oriundis,  imputatur  ?"  by 
next  meeting.  Adjourned  to  meet  at  Pigeon  creek,  on  the 
third  Tuesday  of  April  next.     Concluded  with  prayer. 


the  rev.  john  m^pherrix.  307 

(34)  Biographical  Sketch  of  Rev.  John  M'Piierrin. 
— '*  The  Rev.  John  M'Pherrin  was  born  in  York,  now  Adams 
County,  November  15th,  1757.  His  father  was  a  ruling 
elder  in  the  church  of  Lower  Marsh  Creek,  under  the  pastoral 
care  of  the  Rev.  John  M'Knight,  D.  D.  He  learned  the 
languages  preparatory  to  his  going  to  college,  under  the  Rev. 
Robert  Smith,  D.  D.,  of  Piquea,  and  was  graduated,  May 
7th,  1788,  at  Dickinson  College,  Carlisle,  during  the  presi- 
dency of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Nesbit.  His  theological  studies  were 
prosecuted  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev.  John  Clark, 
pastor  of  Bethel,  Allegheny  County,  Pennsylvania.  He  was 
licensed  to  preach  the  gospel,  August  20th,  1789,  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Redstone,  and  ordained  and  installed  by  the 
same  Presbytery,  pastor  of  the  united  congregations  of 
Salem  and  Unity,  in  Westmoreland  County,  Penns^^lvania,  on 
the  22d  of  September,  1791.  Dr.  M'Millan  presided  at  the 
ordination,  and  Mr.  James  Finley  gave  the  charge.  In  these 
united  congregations  he  labored  with  great  success  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  But  on  the  25th  of  June,  1800,  he  resigned 
the  charge  at  Unity — and  on  the  20th  of  April,  1803,  that 
of  Salem ;  and  having  accepted  a  call  from  the  united  con- 
gregations of  Concord  and  Muddy  Creek,  within  the  bounds 
of  the  Erie  Presbytery,  he  was  dismissed  to  that  Presbytery, 
October  16th,  1804,  and  received  by  it,  April  9th,  1805. 
About  the  same  time,  he  removed  his  family  to  Butler  County, 
in  which  his  congregations  were  situated.  A  few  years  after- 
wards. Concord  and  Harmony  appear  as  his  charge  on  the 
Records  of  the  Presbytery ;  and  still  later,  Butler  and  Con- 
cord. He  is  said  to  have  been  the  founder  of  the  church  in 
the  town  of  Butler,  and  was  its  pastor  for  ten  or  twelve 
years.  When  the  Presbytery  of  Allegheny  was  erected  in 
the  fall  of  1820,  he  was  included  within  its  limits,  as 
one  of  its  original  members.  He  acted  as  Moderator  of 
the  Synod  of  Virginia,  in  1799,  and  of  the  Synod  of  Pitts- 
burg in  1805.  He  died,  February  10th,  1822,  in  the  sixty- 
fifth  year  of  his  age.     He  was  a  thorough  Latin  and  Greek 


868  A   BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH   OF 

scholar,  and  for  a  number  of  years  after  he  was  settled 
in  the  ministry,  taught  a  class  of  young  men,  most  of 
■whom  became  ministers  of  the  gospel.  He  also  possessed  a 
knowledge  of  the  Hebrew  language,  which  was  a  rare  acquire- 
ment, in  this  region  of  country,  at  that  time.  His  character 
is  said  to  be  well  expressed  in  the  follovring  sentiment, 
inscribed  on  his  tombstone :  '  He  was  an  able,  faithful,  and 
devoted  minister  of  Jesus  Christ.'  The  writer  of  his  obituary 
in  the  Pittsburg  Recorder,  says,  '  He  was  a  warm,  zealous, 
and  evangelical  preacher.  For  some  years  before  his  death, 
he  appeared  to  be  remarkably  weaned  from  the  world ;  he, 
indeed,  lived  above  the  world.  His  whole  heart  and  soul 
were  absorbed  in  the  love  of  God ;  and  his  whole  aim  was  to 
promote  the  interests  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom."  He  was 
father-in-law  to  Walter  Lowrie,  Esq.,  Corresponding  Secretary 
of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
and  grandfather  to  his  sons,  the  Rev.  John  C.  Lowrie,  Assist- 
ant Secretary  to  the  same  board,  and  formerly  a  missionary  to 
Northern  India ; — and  the  Rev.  Walter  M.  Lowrie,  deceased, 
a  missionary  in  China." — Appendix  to  Life  of  Macurdy. 

(35)  Biographical  Sketch  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Por- 
ter.— ''  The  Rev.  Samuel  Porter  was  born  in  Ireland,  on  the 
11th  of  June,  1760,  of  pious  parents,  belonging  to  the  Re- 
formed Presbyterian  church,  commonly  called  Covenanters, 
and  was  strictly  educated  in  their  peculiar  tenets.  His 
mother  devoted  him  to  the  Lord,  for  the  work  of  the  ministry, 
from  his  birth ;  in  reference  to  which,  she  called  him  Samuel 
Having  no  means  of  acquiring  an  education,  however,  he 
learned  the  business  of  a  weaver,  and  was  married  some  time 
before  he  left  Ireland.  He  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1783, 
about  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  first  winter 
after  his  arrival  in  the  United  States,  he  spent  in  the  vicinity 
of  Mercersburg,  Franklin  County,  Pennsylvania,  where  a 
near  relative  of  his  then  resided.  He  was  extremely  poor, 
having  only  eighteen  pence  left,  after  paying  the  expenses  of 


THE    REV.    SAMUEL    PORTER.  369 

his  journey.  But  he  met  Avith  kind  friends  Avho  aided  liim  in 
sustaining  his  family.  While  in  the  neighborhood,  he  was 
induced  to  go  afid  hear  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  King,  who  was 
pastor  of  the  church  of  Upper  West  Conococheague,  although 
he  had  been  admonished  by  his  friend  of  the  danger  of  his 
being  corrupted  by  his  unsound  doctrine.  Indeed,  he  himself 
expected  to  hear  something  very  erroneous,  and  rather  desired 
that  it  should  be  so,  that  he  might  have  cause  of  reproach 
against  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

"  The  first  time  he  heard  Dr.  King,  he  returned  home  disap- 
pointed, having  heard  nothing  to  which  he  could  object.  It 
was  so  on  a  second  and  a  third  visit  to  his  church.  He  still 
discovered  nothing  to  condemn,  and  was  surprised  to  find  hmi 
so  evangelical  and  sound  in  his  views.  Having  heard  him 
frequently  during  the  winter,  his  objections  against  the  Pres- 
byterian church  began  to  give  way ;  and  he  came  to  the  con- 
clusion that  his  past  opposition  to  that  church  was  the  result 
of  blind  prejudice,  rather  than  enlightened  conviction.  The 
next  year  he  removed  to  western  Pennsylvania,  and  settled 
in  Washington  County,  where  he  had  frequent  opportunities 
of  hearing  Mr.  Smith  and  Dr.  M'Millan ;  and  the  result  was 
that  he  united  with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  having  satisfied 
himself  fully  that  her  ministers  preached  the  pure  gospel,  and 
that  his  usefulness  and  comfort  would  be  increased  by  entering 
her  communion. 

"  Having  become  acquainted  with  Dr.  M'Millan,  and  other 
ministers  of  the  West,  he  was  induced,  by  their  advice,  to 
enter  on  a  course  of  preparation  for  the  ministry.  His 
studies  were  prosecuted  partly  under  the  Rev.  Joseph  Smith, 
in  company  with  James  Hughes,  John  Brice,  and  Joseph  Pat- 
terson ;  and  partly  with  Dr.  M'Millan,  with  whom  he  studied 
theology.  As  he  was  without  the  means  of  support.  Dr. 
M'Millan  kindly  gave  him  his  board  and  instruction,  free  of 
expense  ;  and  Alexander  Wright,  Esq.,  a  benevolent  Irishman, 
generously  furnished  a  house  and  provision  for  his  family, 
while  he  was  pursuing  his  studies.  Thus  did  God,  in  a  re- 
24 


370  A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH    OF 

markable  manner,  meet  the  wishes  and  answer  the  prayers 
of  his  pious  mother,  bj  providing  ways  and  means  to  facili- 
tate his  admission  to  the  ministry,  to  which  she  had  conse- 
crated him. 

"Up  to  the  time  of  his  prosecuting  his  studies  at  Dr. 
M'Millan's,  he  was  strenuously  opposed  to  the  use  of  a  New 
Testament  Psalmody  in  the  worship  of  God.  While  there, 
he  determined  to  write  out  and  publish  a  thoroughly  prepared 
exposition  of  his  reasons  against  its  use.  In  the  progress  of 
his  investigations,  which  were  accompanied  at  every  step  with 
prayer  to  God  for  direction,  his  mind  underwent  an  entire 
change  on  the  subject;  and  he  found  that  the  proof  was 
against  his  views,  and  in  favor  of  that  he  was  laboring  to 
subvert.  The  result  was  that  he  abandoned  his  opposition, 
and  he  became  the  friend  and  advocate  of  a  New  Testament 
Psalmody.  His  son,  John  Porter,  of  Ptural  Valley,  from 
whom  this  information  has  been  derived,  has  a  distinct  recol- 
lection of  the  time  when  his  father  first  sang  one  of  Watts' 
Psalms  in  family  worship. 

"  Mr.  Porter  having  made  theology  his  study  from  early  life, 
and  having  had  a  considerable  stock  of  knowledge  on  various 
subjects  before  he  commenced  a  formal  course  of  preparation 
for  the  ministry,  the  Presbytery  permitted  him  to  preach  as  a 
probationer,  after  a  shorter  course  of  study  than  usual.  He 
was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone,  Nov.  12th,  1789. 
At  a  meeting  of  the  Presbytery,  April  20, 1790,  he  had  a  call 
put  into  his  hands  from  the  united  congregations  of  Poke  Run 
and  Congruity,  one  from  the  congregations  of  Dunlap's  Creek 
and  George's  Creek,  and  one  from  Long  Run  and  Sewickly. 
The  first  of  these  calls  he  accepted,  and  was  ordained,  in 
company  with  the  Rev.  J.  M'Pherrin,  Sept.  22d,  1790,  and 
installed  pastor  of  the  congregations  of  Poke  Run  and  Con- 
gruity. In  these  congregations  he  labored  till  April  11th, 
1798,  when,  on  account  of  ill  health,  he  was  released  from. 
Poke  Run,  though  much  against  the  wishes  of  the  people,  who 
remonstrated  against  the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation. 


THE    REV.    SAMUEL    PORTER.  371 

Congrulty  agreed  to  take  the  Avliole  of  liis  time,  promising 
£120  per  imnum,  one-half  in  merchantable  wheat  at  5s  per 
bushel,  and  the  remainder  in  cash  He  continued  the  pastor 
of  this  congregation  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
on  the  23d  of  September,  1825.  ^Ir.  Porter  was  held  in 
high  esteem  by  his  brethren  of  the  ministry,  as  a  man  of  un- 
doubted piety  and  vigorous  talents.  He  was  a  bold,  original, 
and  independent  thinker,  distinguished  for  his  controversial 
talent  and  ready  wit.  He  appeared  to  particular  advantage 
in  the  judicatories  of  the  church,  in  which  he  exerted  a  com- 
manding influence.  He  was  a  very  acceptable  speaker,  had 
a  clear,  musical  voice,  and  had  great  power  over  an  audience : 
sometimes  exciting  in  them  the  most  pleasurable  emotions  — 
at  others,  melting  them  to  tears." — Appendix  to  Life  of  Ma- 
curdy.  See  also  "Porter's  Sermons  and  Dialogues,"  recently 
published  by  Dr.  Elliott.  Either  of  the  sermons  is  worth  the 
price  asked  for  the  whole  book. 

AVe  cannot  withhold  a  passage  from  one  of  them,  which 
will  show  how  this  polemical  giant  would  have  stood,  had  he 
lived  to  mingle  in  the  scenes  of  1835,  '36,  and  '37.  It  is 
taken  from  his  discourse  on  the  Atonement  of  Christ,  deli- 
vered at  the  opening  of  the  Synod  of  Pittsburg,  October  1st, 
1811  :— 

"Rev.  Fathers  and  Brethren: — We  have  been  called,  in 
the  Providence  of  God,  to  the  awfully  responsible  office  of  the 
gospel  ministry,  in  a  perilous  time.  A  spirit  of  innovation, 
hostile  to  all  existing  systems,  has  gone  forth  into  the  world, 
and  is  to  be  found  in  operation  within  the  precincts  of  the 
Christian  church.  For  the  purpose  of  uniting  in  communion 
professing  Christians  of  every  species  and  description,  and 
thereby  to  render  the  church  perfectly  analogous  to  the  an- 
cient Babel,  those  religious  systems  in  which  the  church  of 
Christ  has  expressed  the  sense  in  which  she  understood  the 
Scriptures,  and  which  men  of  superior  learning  and  piety 
have  long  considered  as  necessary  barriers  between  truth  and 
error,  are  attacked,  in  toto^  by  men  in  our  vicinity  and  else- 


372  CALLS   FOR   MESSRS.    PATTERSON   AND   BRICE. 

where,  who  have  sagacity  enough  to  perceive  that  they  stand 
in  the  way  of  the  execution  of  their  schemes ;  whilst  others 
are  engaged  in  brandishing  their  javeHns  at  doctrines  con- 
tained in  those  confessions  of  faith  to  which  they  profess 
adherence,  as  systems  founded  on  the  Word  of  God.  Human 
nature,  in  avoiding  one  extreme,  tends  to  the  other;  and  the 
candid  and  well-informed  will  grant,  that  if  a  bigoted  attach- 
ment to  human  systems  prevailed  in  some  of  the  periods  that 
have  passed,  the  present  tendency  is  to  a  lawless  Catholicism, 
which  would  fill  the  church  and  people  heaven  with  men  of 
the  most  heterogeneous  and  hostile  principles  and  dispositions. 
The  prevailing  taste  is  so  much  in  favor  of  a  liberality  in  sen- 
timent, which  affects  to  look  down  on  systems  and  confessions 
of  faith  as  old-fashioned,  musty,  useless  lumber,  not  calculated 
for  this  enlightened,  refined,  philosophic  age,  that  the  man 
who  aspires  to  celebrity  and  fame  must  endeavor  to  gratify 
that  taste.  Therefore,  clergymen  of  science,  talents,  and 
ambition,  are  under  a  strong  temptation  to  sail  with  wind 
and  tide,  and  acquire  the  character  of  men  of  enlarged,  culti- 
vated, generous  minds,  superior  to  narrow  systems  and  vulgar 
faith." 

"  There  are  clerical  boys,  of  no  gigantic  talents,  who  have 
scarcely  passed  the  threshold  of  Christian  science,  or  read 
the  title-page  of  one-half  the  accessible  books  on  divinity, 
until  they  are  disposed  to  enlighten  the  world,  and  bless  the 
church,  by  the  introduction  of  new  theological  doctrines, 
which  they  have  discovered  in  those  regions  of  illumination 
and  refinement  which  lie  far  beyond  the  hazy  atmosphere  of 
Scripture  and  common  sense." 

The  Synod  of  Pittsburg  embraced,  at  that  time,  the  region 
afterwards  occupied  by  the  Synod  of  the  Western  Reserve, 
one  of  the  exscinded  Synods ;  and  in  this  region,  thus  early, 
it  Yfas  understood,  prevailed  some  of  those  notions  which  Mr. 
Porter  here  so  sarcastically  handles.  Let  the  reader  buy  the 
book,  if  he  wants  a  real  treat. 


CALLS    FOR    MESSRS.    PATTERSON    AND    BRICE.  373 

TWENTY-THIRD    MEETING. 

PIGEON  CREEK,  Tuesday,  April  21st,  1780.— Presby- 
tery met,  &c.  The  Presbytery  was  opened  with  a  sermon 
from  Jonah  i.  6.  by  Mr.  Patterson. 

Two  calls  for  Mr.  Patterson  —  from  the  united  congrega- 
tions of  Upper  Raccoon  and  Montour's  Run,  and  from  Unity 
and  Salem — were  brought  in  and  read,  and  put  into  his  hands 
for  consideration.  Two  calls  for  Mr.  Brice — from  united  con- 
gregations of  Three  Ridges  and  Forks  of  Wheeling,  and  from 
the  united  congregations  of  Mill  Creek  and  King's  Creek  — 
were  brought  in  and  read  —  put  into  his  hands  for  considera- 
tion. Ordered  to  read  the  minutes  of  last  fall's  meeting.  Mr. 
Clark  reported  that  though  Mr.  Finley  attended  at  Lebanon, 
according  to  appointment,  no  settlement  was  yet  made  with 
the  congregation.  Messrs.  Brice,  and  Hughes,  and  Patter- 
son, have  fulfilled  their  appointments.  The  members  present 
have  fulfilled  their  appointments,  except  Mr.  Dunlap,  whose 
reasons  were  sustained. 

The  congregation  of  Dunlap's  Creek  appeared  by  their 
commissioners,  and  signified  that  they  had  no  reasons  to  offer 
why  Mr.  Dunlap  should  not  be  dismissed ;  especially  since  he 
manifested  an  unwillingness  to  remain  with  them  any  longer ; 
and  although  the  Presbytery  cannot  justify  his  conduct  in  for- 
saking that  congregation  without  a  regular  dismission,  yet,  as 
we  do  not  think  his  continuance  there  would  be  for  edification, 
we  do  therefore  judge  that  the  pastoral  relation  between  him 
and  that  congregation  ought  to  be,  and  it  hereby  is,  dis- 
solved. 

Mr.  Patterson  gave  up  the  call  from  Unity  and  Salem  con- 
gregations, and  declares  his  acceptance  of  the  call  from  the 
united  congregations  of  Upper  Raccoon  and  Montour's,  pro- 
vided that  some  of  the  difficulties  now  subsisting  be  removed 
before  our  next  meeting.  Messrs.  Brice,  Hughes,  and  Pat- 
terson appointed  to  supply,  as  much  as  they  can  conveniently, 
in  those  congregations  from  whom  they  have  received  calls. 


374  MR.  barr's  application. 

until  our  next  meeting.  The  Presbytery  find  that  the  con- 
gregations are  satisfied  with  the  diligence  and  care  of  their 
respective  pastors.  Mr.  Finley  and  Mr.  Power,  together 
with  Mr.  Cook  and  Mr.  Baird,  elders,  are  appointed  to  repre- 
sent this  Presbytery  in  the  General  Assembly.  (36) 

The  Presbytery,  having  had  frequent  applications  made  to 
them  respecting  the  settlement  of  places  of  worship ;  in  order 
to  prevent  waste  of  time  about  this  matter  in  future,  the  Pres- 
bytery now  give  it  as  their  opinion  in  general,  where  congre- 
gations are  in  union  with  each  other,  their  houses  of  worship 
ought  not  to  be  less  than  eight  miles  apart ;  and  where  the 
congregations  are  not  in  union,  nor  expect  to  be,  that  their 
places  of  worship  ought  not  to  be  less  than  nine  miles  apart. 

Application  having  been  made  by  Mr.  Barr  for  a  dismis- 
sion from  the  united  congregations  of  Pittsburg  and  Pitts- 
township,  the  Presbytery  order  that  the  congregations  be 
notified  hereof,  and  to  attend  at  our  next  meeting,  to  show 
reason,  if  any  they  have,  why  Mr.  Barr's  request  should  not 
be  granted.  Mr.  M'Pherrin  brought  in  and  read  his  Homily 
and  Presbyterial  Exercise — sustained. 

Mr.  Porter  —  his  Exegesis  —  sustained.  Mr.  R.  Marshall, 
having  offered  himself,  &c.  (see  foregoing  form),  was  taken 
on  trial,  examined  on  Latin  and  Greek  Languages,  and  Messrs. 
M'Pherrin  and  Porter  along  with  him,  on  moral  philosophy — 
all  sustained.  Mr.  M'Pherrin  to  prepare  a  lecture  on  James  ii. 
24-26,  and  a  popular  sermon  on  L  John  iv.  18,  by  next  meet- 
ing. Mr.  Porter  to  prepare  a  homily  on  I.  Cor.  ii.  14.,  and 
a  Presbyterial  Exercise  on  Heb.  ii.  14,  by  next  meeting.  Mr. 
Marshall,  an  Exegesis,  on  this  theme :  "  An  constat  essentia 
fidei,  in  persuasione,  quod  remissa  nobis  peccata,  et  nostrum 
Christus  sit?"  and  a  homily  on  Rom.  iii.,  20,  by  our  next 

(36)  This  appointment  of  commissioners  to  General  Assembly,  which 
was  to  meet  the  od  Thursday  of  May,  1789  (the  first  General  Assembly), 
is  a  new  event  in  the  history  of  the  Redstone  Presbytery.  As  the 
Presbytery  consists  of  more  than  six  members,  they  ^^re  entitled  to 
two  ministers  and  two  elders. — See  printed  Rec,  p.  524. 


HISTORY   OF   PITTSBURG    CONGREGATION.  375 

meeting.     Adjourned  to  meet  at  Chartiers  the  4th  Monday 
of  May  next.     Concluded  Avith  prayer. 

TWENTY-l-OURTII    MEETING. 

CHARTIERS,  Monday,  25th  May,  1789.  — The  Presby- 
tery met,  &c.  The  Presbytery  was  opened  with  a  sermon 
from  Matt.  xxvi.  41,  by  Mr.  Patterson.  Mr.  Patterson  re- 
ported that  those  difficulties  which  subsisted  between  the  con- 
gregations of  Upper.  Raccoon  and  Monteur's  are  now  re- 
moved ;  and  he,  having  accepted  their  call,  is  now  appointed 
to  prepare  a  discourse  on  James  iii.  6,  at  our  next  meeting, 
as  a  part  of  trial,  in  order  to  ordination.  Mr.  Hughes  de- 
clares his  acceptance  of  the  call  from  the  Ridges  and  the 
Forks  of  Wheeling :  appointed  to  prepare  a  discourse  on 
John  XV.  4,  to  be  delivered  at  our  next  fall's  meeting,  as  parts 
of  trials,  in  order  to  his  ordination. 

A  number  of  commissioners  appeared  from  Pittsburg,  in 
consequence  of  Mr.  Barr's  application  for  a  dismission  ;  and, 
it  appearing  evident  to  the  Presbytery  that  there  were  some 
difficulties  which  could  not  be  settled  without  a  meeting  on 
the  spot,  the  Presbytery  therefore  agreed  to  defer  all  further 
proceedings  in  that  affair  for  the  present,  to  meet  at  Pittsburg 
on  the  2d  Tuesday  of  June,  and  to  send  notice  to  absent 
members.  Adjourned,  to  meet  at  Pittsburg  on  the  2d  Tues- 
day of  June.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

TWENTY-FIFTH    MEETING. 

PITTSBURG,  (37)  June  9th,  1789.— The  Presbytery  met 
according  to  adjournment.      Ubi  post  preces  sederunt,  the 

(37)  Pittsburg.  —  The  period  when  this  congregation  was  organised 
is  uncertain.  It  appears  that  in  17GG,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Beatty  and 
Duffield,  who  were  appointed  by  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Ehi- 
ladelphia  to  visit  the  frontier  settlements,  and  also  some  of  the  Indian 
tribes,  as  missionaries,  for  two  months,  were  in  this  place,  and  found 
"some  kind  of  a  town."  They  also  found  there  the  Rev.  Mr.  M'Lagan, 
chaplain  to  the  42d  regiment.  Of  what  denomination  he  was,  it  is  not 
stated.     These  brethren  preached  in  the  fort  and  in  the  village. 


376  HISTORY   OF   riTTSBURG    CONGREGATION. 

Rev.  Messrs.  James  Finley,  John  Clark,  Joseph  ^rnith,  John 
M'Millan,  and  Samuel  Barr. 

The  Presbytery  was  opened  with  a  sermon  from  Philip,  iii.  8, 

There  was  then  no  regular  congregation,  and  no  house  of  worship. 
It  is  probable  that  some  of  the  other  missionaries  appointed  by  the  Synod 
visited  and  preached  in  the  place ;  especially  Mr.  Power  and  Mr.  Fin- 
ley  ;  both  of  whom  were  out  preaching  to  the  settlements  some  time 
before  the  beginning  of  the  Revolutionary  War ;  the  latter  of  whom 
was  appointed  to  labor  two  months  in  the  West,  and  it  is  not  likely 
that  he  failed  to  visit  Pittsburg.  Dr.  M'Millan,  during  his  first  visit  to 
the  West  in  1775,  preached  here  on  the  2d  Sabbath  of  September. 
Whether  there  were  any  further  visits,  or  labors  of  Presbyterian  minis- 
ters or  missionaries,  during  the  nest  nine  years,  we  cannot  learn.  Mr. 
Smith  was  sent  to  preach  here  on  the  4th  Sabbath  of  August,  1784.  In 
the  following  year,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Barr,  after  laboring  some  short 
time  as  a  supply,  was  recognised  as  the  pastor  by  the  Presbytery,  with- 
out any  regular  installation.  About  this  time  the  church  was  organ- 
ized, and  a  small  log  house  was  erected  for  a  place  of  worship.  Mr. 
Barr  continued  the  pastor  till  June  12th,  1789.  For  a  number  of  years 
afterwards  they  were  occasionally  supplied  by  the  Presbytery.  In  1791, 
Mr.  Mahon,  a  licentiate  of  the  Carlisle  Presbytery,  preached  to  them 
for  a  short  time — perhaps  about  a  year,  or  even  more.  In  1793,  (Oct.,) 
having  applied  for  ordination,  he  was  not  able  to  give  satisfaction  to 
the  Presbytery  on  the  subject  of  his  experimental  acquaintance  with 
religion  ;  and  applying  immediately  for  his  dismission  back  to  his  for- 
mer Presbytery,  he  was  dismissed,  and  left  the  place.  After  Mr.  Mahon 
left,  a  licentiate,  by  the  name  of  Semple,  who  afterwards  became  a  law- 
yer, preached  there  a  short  time.  In  1795,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Porter  and 
D.  Smith  were  sent  to  supply  one  Sabbath  each.  Thence,  till  June, 
1799,  they  appear  neither  to  have  sought  nor  obtained  supplies  from 
the  Presbytery.  At  the  last  date,  the  Rev.  Robert  Steele,  who  had  left 
Ireland  precipitately,  without  having  time  to  get  his  credentials  from 
his  Presbytery,  but  with  testimonial  from  his  former  congregation,  and 
letters  from  brethren  in  New  York,  Philadelphia,  and  Norfolk,  was 
allowed  to  preach  as  a  supply — till  the  following  meeting  of  Synod — to 
the  people  of  Pittsburg.  Mr.  Porter  and  Mr.  Henderson  were  also  sent 
as  supplies  during  that  year.  During  the  year  1800,  Mr.  Steele,  though 
not  fully  received,  was  allowed  to  act  as  a  supply.  In  October,  though 
an  ordained  minister,  he  was  taken  on  probation,  and  a  text  was  as- 
signed him  for  a  trial  sermon  by  the  next  spring  meeting.  At  that 
time  (April,  1801),  the  Presbytery,  not  being  satisfied  with  his  sermon, 
assigned  him  another  text  for  a  sermon  by  the  fall  meeting.     In  the 


HISTORY   OF    PITTSBURG    CONGREGATION".  377 

bj  Mr.  M'Millan.  Mr.  Barr  produced  the  following  reasons 
^vllJ  he  desired  to  be  dismissed  from  his  pastoral  relation  to 
Pittsburg  and  Pittstownship,  viz. :  — 

mean  time,  the  congregation  asked  for  Mr.  Steele  as  a  stated  supply 
"  until  the  Presbytery  shall  finally  receive  or  reject  him."  In  October 
the  sermon  was  not  sustained,  and  they  appointed  him  another,  to  be 
delivered  at  the  next  spring  meeting.  Then  (April,  1802)  he  was  taken 
in  and  permitted  to  take  his  seat  with  them,  rather  speciali  gratia,  as  it 
would  appear  from  the  n]inute.  In  the  mean  time,  he  was  still  acting 
as  supply  to  the  congregation  of  Pittsburg ;  and  in  the  following  Octo- 
ber, (1802,)  a  call  from  this  people  was  put  into  his  hands  by  the  Pres- 
bytery, and  accepted  by  him;  and  thenceforward,  without  any  further 
action  of  the  Presbytery,  he  was  recognized  as  the  pastor.  In  this 
relation  he  continued  till  his  death,  which  occurred  March  22d,  1810. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Stockton  then  acted  as  supply  for  some  time.  The  Rev. 
Francis  Ilerron,  D.  D.,  expressed  his  intention  of  accepting  a  call  from 
this  church  April  3d,  1811,  being  then  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Carlisle.  From  that  Presbytery  he  was  dismissed  to  join  the  Presby- 
tery of  Redstone,  and  removed  to  Pittsburg  in  the  ensuing  month 
of  May.  On  the  18th  of  June  he  was  received  by  the  Presbytery 
of  Redstone,  and  accepted  the  call.  He  continued  the  pastor  of  this 
church  till,  at  his  own  request,  in  1850,  he  was  dismissed.  During 
the  same  year,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Paxton,  the  present  pastor,  received  and 
accepted  a  call,  and  is  now  laboring  among  them  with  great  and  encou- 
raging success.  This  church,  during  the  earlier  period  of  its  history, 
seemed  not  to  be  remarkable  for  exemplary  piety.  Many  of  them  were  a 
gay,  fashionable,  worldly  people,  conforming  to  the  customs  and  man- 
ners of  the  times.  Their  financial  afiairs  were  also  in  the  greatest  em- 
barrassment. In  a  very  short  time  after  Dr.  Ilerron  entered  upon  this 
arduous  and  trying  field  of  labor,  a  new  era  opened  upon  the  church. 
From  the  utmost  temporal  and  spiritual  prostration,  it  soon  rapidly  rose 
to  a  high  degree  of  prosperity  in  both  respects.  With  the  consent  of 
the  leading  men  of  the  congregation„Dr.  Ilerron  bought  the  church  and 
lot,  when  publicly  sold  by  the  sherifi"  to  pay  the  debt  of  the  congrega- 
tion, and  soon  after  he  sold  part  of  the  lot  for  a  suflBcient  sum  to  extri- 
cate the  church  out  of  all  debt,  conveyed  the  balance  of  the  ground, 
with  the  house,  back  to  the  trustees,  and,  with  their  co-operation,  and 
that  of  the  citizens,  soon  provided  means  for  erecting  a  much  better 
house  of  worship,  which  was  afterwards  much  enlarged.  The  congre- 
gation grew  rapidly.  The  Lord  poured  out  his  Spirit  on  this  congre- 
gation ;  and  several  times  during  the  long-continued  pastoral  labors  of 
this  now  ancient  servant  of  God,  many  were  added  unto  the  church. 
It  is  the  mother  church  of  our  body  in  Pittsburg.     All  the  other  five 


378  MR.  barr's  reasons  for  a  dismission. 

1st,  Because  he  supposes  lie  may  preach  the  gospel  else- 
where with  more  success.  2d,  Because  he  has  not  been  able 
to  exercise  church  discipline ;  having  too  few  to  support  him 
in  that  branch  of  his  duty.  3d,  Because  no  active  measures 
have  been  taken  by  the  trustees  to  comply  with  their  agree- 
ment ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  they  have  appointed  him  to  col- 
lect his  own  salary  for  the  last  year ;  which  was  as  much  as 
to  say  he  might  hunt  after  his  salary  from  door  to  door  —  it 
was  none  of  their  business.  4th,  Because  Robert  Galbraith 
and  John  Wilkins,  Esqs.,  elders  of  the  church,  have  not  sup- 
ported characters  becoming  their  office,  but  have  indulged 
themselves  in  drinking  and  card-playing.  Mr.  Wiikins  is 
charged  with  being  idle  with  women ;  and  Mr.  Galbraith  has 
not  settled  his  accounts  with  him  for  stipends  collected  from 
October,  1785,  to  April,  1787.  5th,  Because  Mr.  Dunning, 
elder,  besides  his  not  paying  a  strict  attention  to  his  word, 
has  not  been  scrupulous  in  altering  his  neighbor's  landmark ; 
which  betrays  a  covetous  disposition,  and  unbecoming  one 
who  should  be  an  example  to  the  flock.  6th,  and  lastly.  That 
since  his  application,  he  has  still  more  reason  to  continue 
his  resolution,  from  the  industry  of  the  above-named  gentle- 
men, together  with  George  Wallace,  Esq.,  to  render  his  Jabors 
useless,  both  here  and  elsewhere,  by  circulating  false  reports, 
and  preventing  the  congregation  and  himself  from  worshipping 
God,  in  a  peaceable  manner,  in  the  house  of  God,  on  the  Sab- 
bath day. 

Presbyterian  churches,  and  the  churches  of  Allegheny  City  and  Law- 
renceville,  were,  more  or  less,  formed  out  of  it.  Two  of  them  were  lite- 
rally colonies  from  it.  Its  contributions  in  aid  of  our  Board,  of  the 
Seminary,  of  weak  churches,  and  o^  other  benevolent  objects,  have 
been  vast ;  but  whether  they  have  given  in  proportion  as  the  Lord  hath 
prospered  them,  it  is  not  for  us  to  determine.  They  will  soon,  it  is 
expected,  enter  a  new  and  spacious  building,  far  exceeding,  in  magnifi- 
cence, its  predecessors.  May  the  true  glory  of  the  latter  house  exceed 
the  glory  of  the  former  houses.  The  Synod  of  Pittsburg,  October  4th, 
1822,  detached  this  church,  with  its  pastor,  together  with  several  other 
churches  and  pastors,  and  attached  them  to  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio. 
Number  of  communicants  in  1854,  311. 


CHARGES    AGAINST    MR.    BARR.  379 

Charges  exliibitcd  by  tlie  session  and  trustees  of  Pittsburg 
congregation  against  the  Rev.  Samuel  Barr,  in  consequence 
of  his  application  to  Presbytery  for  a  dismission  froni  the 
Unity  congregation  of  Pittsburg  and  Pittstownsliip,  mid  in 
compliance  Avith  a  notification  from  Presbytery  to  the  Session 
and  Trustees  of  Pittsburg  congregation,  to  show  cause,  if  any 
they  have,  why  said  Barr  should  not  be  removed  from  his 
pastoral  relation  to  them.  1.  They  intend  to  show  that  Mr. 
Barr  has  not  had  any  reason,  from  Pittsburg  congregation,  to 
make  any  such  application.  2.  They  intend  to  show  that 
Mr.  Barr  has  not  done  his  duty,  as  a  clergyman,  to  said  con- 
gregation, by  absenting  himself  from  them  at  sundry  times, 
without  the  consent  of  session  or  congregation,  or  leave  ob- 
tained, or  his  business  abroad  known  to  them.  3.  They  in- 
tend to  show  that  Mr.  Barr  has  not  done  his  duty  as  a  cler- 
gyman, by  not  visiting  the  families  of  said  congregation  at 
their  houses,  and  in  not  catechising  and  examining  them,  as  he 
ought  to  do.  4.  They  intend  to  show  that  Mr.  Barr  has  col- 
lected a  considerable  sum  of  money  in  Philadelphia  and  New 
York,  for  the  use  of  Pittsburg  congregation,  and  has  never 
rendered  any  account  of  the  same,  nor  paid  any  part  of  it 
into  the  hands  of  the  Trustees,  or  to  any  other  person,  for  the 
use  of  said  church.  Adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow  morning, 
at  8  o'clock.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

Wednesday,  June  10th. — Presbytery  met  according  to  ad- 
journment. Ubi  post  preces  sederunt  qui  supra.  Ordered 
to  read  the  minutes  of  the  last  session.  Mr.  Barr  alleges,  in 
support  of  his  first  reason,  &c.  [The  whole  testimony  is  then 
introduced  and  recorded,  on  both  sides,  which  we  will  not 
here  publish.  This  occupied  the  Presbytery  on  Wednesday 
and  Thursday.     We  shall  give  next  the  finding  of  the  court.] 

Friday,  June  12th. — Presbytery  met  according  to  adjotirn- 
ment.  Ubi  post  preces  sederunt  qui  supra.  Ordered  to  read 
the  minutes  of  the  last  session.  The  Presbytery,  after  hear- 
ing all  the  parties  had  to  say,  examining  the  witnesses  that 
were  produced  on  both  sides,  and  maturely  deliberating  on 


380        OPINION   OF   PRESBYTERY   ON   MR.    BARR'S   CASE. 

the  matter,  are  of  opinion,  that  the  reasons  offered  by  Mr. 
Barr,  why  he  desires  a  dismission  from  the  congregations  of 
Pittsburg  and  Pittstownship,  are  groundless  ;  and  some  of 
them,  if  they  had  been  true,  did  not  at  all  exist  at  the  time 
when  he  made  the  application  —  it  appearing  evident  to  the 
Presbytery,  in  the  course  of  the  trial,  that  it  was  his  own 
misconduct,  principally,  that  occasioned  the  people's  non-at- 
tendance on  his  ministry:  that  he  never  had  used  any  proper 
means  to  have  discipline  duly  exercised,  but,  on  the  contrary, 
did  himself  countenance  card-playing,  and  night-revelling, 
and  did  nominate  and  ordain  persons  as  elders,  though  he 
knew  that  they  did  practice,  and  by  his  permission,  deter- 
mined to  practice,  some  of  those  very  things  which  he  now 
brings  in  as  charges  against  them.  And  though  he  has 
brought  in  some  very  grievous  charges  against  particular  per- 
sons, yet  it  does  not  appear  that  he,  even  in  private,  endea- 
vored their  reformation,  by  admonishing  or  reproving  them 
for  their  misconduct ;  and  has  entirely  failed  in  proving  any 
of  them,  except  that  of  card-playing,  which  was  not  denied. 
It  further  appears,  in  the  course  of  the  trial,  that  Mr.  Barr 
has,  in  many  things,  behaved  in  a  manner  entirely  unbecoming 
a  minister  of  the  gospel — in  neglecting  the  visitation  of  fami- 
lies in  the  town  of  Pittsburg,  and  catechising,  except  a*  few 
children,  on  the  Sabbath  evenings  —  in  one  case  refusing  to 
baptise  a  child  without  money  being  first  given,  which  last, 
however,  is  supported  by  only  one  witness  —  in  publishing  a 
piece  in  the  Gazette,  in  which  are  some  very  unbecoming  ex- 
pressions, and  one  profane  oath  —  in  neglecting  to  consult 
with  his  session,  and  make  use  of  their  assistance,  in  the 
spiritual  matters  of  the  congregation  —  in  his  inconsistent 
procedure  in  the  affair  of  baptising  Gen.  Gibson's  child  — 
and  in  neglecting  to  give  the  Trustees  a  proper  account  of 
the  money  subscribed  for  the  use  of  the  congregation,  though 
there  is  not  evidence  to  show  that  he  designed  any  fraud 
thereby. 

Upon  the  whole,  the  Presbytery  conclude  that  the  state  of 


THE  CHARGES  REFERRED  TO  VIRGINIA  SYNOD.    381 

things,  in  these  congregations,  is  such,  that  there  is  no  pros- 
pect of  Mr.  Barr's  being  useful  among  thum  —  and  that, 
therefore,  the  union  between  him  and  them  ought  to  be,  and 
is  hereby  dissolved.  They  do  also  conclude  that  his  conduct 
has  been  very  injurious  to  the  cause  of  religion  and  virtue  ; 
and  that,  without  an  alteration,  it  will  continue  to  be  so :  there- 
fore, although  we  feel  tenderly  for  him,  we  cannot  see  how  we 
can  justify  ourselves  before  God,  the  world,  or  our  own  con- 
sciences, without  declaring  this  as  our  judgment,  viz. :  that 
he  ought  not  to  exercise  any  part  of  his  ministerial  office 
until  the  mind  of  our  Synod  is  known  thereon ;  to  whom  we 
do  defer  the  ultimate  determination  of  the  matter.* 

*  The  Rev.  Dr.  Footo,  in  whose  hands,  at  present,  are  the  old  Records 
of  the  Synod  of  Virginia,  has  kindly  furnished  us  with  the  following 
statement,  as  the  result  of  this  matter,  when  it  came  up  in  the  Synod: 

"  At  the  second  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  Virginia,  which  was  in  Lex- 
ington, Virginia,  1789,  on  Thursday,  22d  of  October,  the  case  of  Mr. 
Barr  was  brought  up  by  the  Committee  of  Overtures,  as  a  reference 
from  Redstone  Presbytery,  stating  that  the  Presbytery  has  suspended 
Mr.  Barr  till  the  judgment  of  Synod  could  be  known.  The  subject  was 
under  consideration  ;  and  papers  from  Mr.  Barr  were  read,  but  not  re- 
corded. The  Synod  determined  that,  as  Mr.  Barr  had  introduced  new 
matter  in  those  papers,  and  referred  to  new  witnesses,  and  made  in- 
sinuations against  the  Presbytery,  *  they  therefore  agree  to  refer  the 
consideration  of  the  whole  affair,  de  novo,  to  the  Rev.  Messrs,  James 
Power,  Thaddeus  Dod,  James  Dunlap,  Edward  Crawford,  John  Mont- 
gomery, Moses  Iloge,  and  Col,  Robert  White,  Elder,  or  any  three  of 
the  whole  number,  as  a  Committee  of  Synod :  and  the  Synod  recommend 
it  to  said  Committee,  to  be  as  careful  as  possible,  with  regard  to  the  na- 
ture of  the  evidence  which  they  admit  upon  the  occasion  —  that  no  ap- 
pearance of  prejudice  or  party  spirit  may  exist  in  the  decision.  The 
Committee  is  appointed  to  meet  at  Pittsburg,  on  the  fourth  Tuesday  of  ' 
November  next.  Mr,  Barr  is  directed  to  give  notice  to  the  parties  con- 
cerned, about  Pittsburg,  of  the  resolution  of  the  Synod:  and  ^lessrs, 
M'Millan  and  Finley  are  directed  to  give  notice  to  the  parties  in  the 
bounds  of  Redstone  Presbytery  contiguous  to  them :  and  the  witnesses 
who  appeared  against  Mr.  Barr,  before  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone,  are 
to  have  notice  to  specify  the  times  and  places  of  the  respective  charges : 
and  Mr.  Barr  is  to  specify  his  charges  against  the  members  of  the  con- 


382  REFERRED    BY   THE    SYNOD   TO   A   COxAIMITTEE. 

The  Presbytery  cannot  but  testify,  upon  this  occasion,  their 
disapprobation  of  card-playing,  night-revelling,  and  using  any 

gregation  against  "whom  he  complains :  this  interchange  of  notice  to  be 
at  least  ten  days  before  the  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Synod/ 

"At  the  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  Virginia,  in  Winchester,  (their  third 
meeting,)  September,  1790,  on  Thursday,  the  30th,  'Ordered  that  the 
Committee  of  Synod  appointed  to  meet  at  Pittsburg,  the  25th  of  No- 
vember last,  now  make  their  report.  Upon  which  the  minutes  of  the 
Committee  were  read,  which  are  as  follows:  Pittsburg,  Wednesday, 
November  25th,  1789. — The  Committee  of  the  Synod  of  Virginia  having 
been  prevented  from  meeting  yesterday,  agreeably  to  the  appointment 
of  Sj^nod,  because  of  the  badness  of  the  roads,  and  the  inclemency  of 
the  weather,  met  this  morning,  at  the  house  of  Mr.  David  Waters,  at  10 
o'clock.  Present — the  Rev.  Messrs.  Thaddeus  Pod,  Edward  Crawford, 
John  Montgomery.  Absent — the  Rev.  Messrs.  James  Powers,  James 
Dunlap,  Moses  Hoge,  and  Robert  White,  Elder.  The  Committee  was 
constituted  with  prayer.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Dod  was  chosen  Chairman,  and 
Mr.  Montgomery,  Clerk.  Mr.  Francis  Hindman,  a  preacher  of  the  gos- 
pel from  Lewis  Presbytery,  occasionally  present,  was  appointed  As- 
sistant Clerk.^  Then  follow  about  twenty  pages,  quarto,  of  charges, 
evidence,  and  doings,  &c.,  &c.,  all  of  which  was  read  to  the  Synod,  and 
put  on  their  record.  '  The  Committee  then  agreed  to  the  following  de- 
termination :  This  Committee,  finding  that  the  members  who  composed 
the  Presbytery,  which  formerly  sat  on  Mr.  Barr's  trial,  did  not  attend, 
and  it  not  appearing  to  the  said  Committee  whether  or  not  they  con- 
sider themselves  as  having  legal  notice  ;  and  finding  that  Mr.  *Barr's 
former  prosecutors  did  not  wish  to  appear  in  any  form  against  him  in 
the  trial,  the  Committee  then  proceeded  to  attend  to  the  papers  pro- 
duced by  Mr.  Barr,  duly  attested,  and  a  number  of  personal  evidences, 
which  tended  to  give  light  to  the  subject;  and  having  compared  these 
with  the  minutes  of  the  Presbytery  which  sat  upon  his  former  trial,  and 
finding  matters  to  stand  in  a  different  view — therefore,  the  Committee 
determined  that  the  charges  exhibited  by  the  session  and  Trustees  of 
the  Pittsburg  congregation,  against  Mr.  Barr,  are  wholly  unsupported ; 
and  that  he  be  considered  in  full  and  regular  standing  in  the  church.' 

"The  action  of  the  Synod,  on  this  subject,  is  in  these  words:  'The 
Synod  accepted  the  report  of  the  Committee,  as  now  amended,  and  con- 
sider Mr.  Barr  in  regular  slanding  in  the  church.' 

"  That  is  all,"  says  Dr.  Foote  ;  "  and  this  short  sentence  immediately 
follows  the  report  of  the  Committee,  without  any  resolution  being  re- 
corded." 


HISTORY    OF    LAUREL    HILL    C0X(7REGATI0X.  383 

expressions  leading  to  immodest  ideas,  as  practices  very  un- 
becoming in  any  professor  of  religion,  and  such  as  would  lay 
a  just  foundation  for  exclusion  from  church  privileges,  in  any 
congregation  ^vhere  disci{)linc  is  duly  exercised ;  an<l  tliat, 
therefore,  such  of  the  elders  of  the  church  of  Pittsburg  as 
have  appeared  before  us  to  be  guilty  of  such  things,  ought  to 
be,  and  arc  hereby  admonished  to  abstain  from  such  practices 
for  the  future — and  be  informed  that,  "without  a  reformation, 
they  ought  to  be  further  dealt  with.  Adjourned  to  meet  at 
Laurel  Hill,  the  third  Tuesday  of  August.  Coricluded  with 
prayer. 

TWENTY-SIXTH    MEETING. 

LAUREL  HILL,  (38)  Tuesday,  the  18th  of  August,  1789. 
— Presbytery  met  according  to  adjournment,  &c.  The  Pres- 
bytery was  opened  with  a  sermon  from  I.  John  iv.  18,  by 

(38)  Laurel  Hill. — This  church  was,  perhaps,  organized  as  early  as 
1770,  by  Dr.  Power,  soon  after  his  removal  to  the  AVest,  in  that  year. 
It  appears  to  have  been  supplied,  in  part,  by  him,  for  a  few  years,  in 
connection  with  some  other  places  in  Fayette  and  Westmoreland  Coun- 
ties, until,  in  1779,  he  became  the  pastor  of  Sewickly  and  Mount  Plea- 
sant congregations. 

This  church,  in  connection  with  Dunlap's  Creek,  obtained  the  pas- 
toral services  of  the  Rev.  James  Dunlap,  D.D.,  who  was  installed  among 
them  October  15th,  1782.  From  the  latter  church  he  was  dismissed, 
April  22d,  1782,  and  remained  with  Laurel  Hill  till  June  29th,  1803. 
The  Rev.  James  Guthrie  was  ordained  and  installed  in  the  congrega- 
tions of  Laurel  Hill  and  Tyrone,  August  17th,  1805.  lie  remained 
their  pastor  till  his  death,  August  24th,  1850.  In  June,  1850,  these 
congregations  called  the  Rev.  Joel  Stoneroad,  the  present  pastor,  who 
was  installed  co-pastor  with  this  venerable  man. 

This  church  of  Laurel  Hill,  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  West,  after  a  pe- 
riod of  decline  for  some  years  past,  is  now  in  a  growing  and  prosperous 
state,  and  has  recently  erected  a  large  and  commodious  brick  house  of 
worship,  having  a  good  parochial  school  in  the  basement.  It  has  often 
been  visited  by  refreshing  showers  of  divine  influence.  Numljcr  of 
communicants  in  the  two  churches  of  Laurel  Hill  and  Tyrone,  as  re- 
cently reported,  203. 


384  HISTORY   OF   RACCOON   CONGREGATION. 

Mr.  M'Pherrin.  Messrs.  Patterson  and  M'Pherrin  —  dis- 
courses —  sustained. 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  Finley,  Smith,  and  M'Millan  are  ap- 
pointed to  transact  the  affair  relative  to  Mr.  Barr's  suspension, 
at  the  next  meeting  of  Synod.  Messrs.  Clark  and  Patterson 
appointed  to  supply  one  Sabbath  each  at  Mr.  M'Millan's 
pulpit,  during  his  absence  at  Synod. 

Mr.  Finley's  and  Mr.  Power's  reasons  for  not  attending 
the  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly — sustained. 

"The  Presbytery  having  received  sufficient  testimonials," 
&c. — (see  Formulary  for  the  Government  of  the  Church, 
chapter  xiv.,  section  8.)  Mr.  M'Pherrin  was  licensed. 

Mr.  Porter's  Homily  and  Presbyterial  Exercises — sustained. 

Mr.  Marshal's  Homily  and  Exegesis  sustained.  The  ordi- 
nation of  Mr.  Patterson — appointed  at  Upper  Raccoon,  on 
the  second  "Wednesday  of  November.  Mr.  Dod — to  preach 
the  ordination  sermon  ;  Mr.  Smith  to  preside,  or  in  his  ab- 
sence— Mr.  Power.  Mr.  Porter  was  appointed  to  prepare  a 
lecture  on  Isaiah  vi.  1-8,  and  a  popular  sermon  on  Philip- 
pians  iv.  13,  by  our  next  meeting.  Mr.  Marshall  to  prepare 
a  Presbyterial  exercise  on  Romans  viii.,  16,  by  our  next 
meeting. 

Ordered  that  collections  be  raised  from  the  several  congre- 
gations under  the  care  of  this  Presbytery,  agreeably  to  an 
act  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  that  the  money  collected, 
be  brought  in  at  our  next  meeting.  Adjourned  to  meet  at 
Upper  Raccoon,  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  November.  Con- 
cluded with  prayer. 

TWENTY-SEVENTH   MEETING. 

UPPER   RACCOON,  (39)  Tuesday,  10th  of  November, 

(39)  Raccoox. — The  Rev.  Joseph  Patterson  was  installed  pastor  of  this 
church,  in  connection  with  Monteur's  Run,  November  11th,  1789.  The 
latter  charge  he  resigned,  April  16th,  1799— but  remained  pastor  of  the 
former  till  October  16th,  1816.  He  was  their  first  pastor;  but  the 
church  was  organized  some  years  before.     On  the  27th  of  May,  1817, 


ORDINATION  OF  MR.  PATTERSON.  385 

1780. — rresbyterj  met,  &o.  Presbytery  y^as  opcnctl  by 
]Messvs.  John  Bricc,  and  James  Hughes,  with  sermons  on 
subjects  appointed  to  them  at  the  preceding  meeting.  The 
discourses  of  Messrs.  Brice  and  Hughes  were  sustained. 

Mr.  M'Millan  reported  that  Mr.  Finley  and  himself 
attended  Synod  according  to  appointment ;  and  that  the 
affair  of  Mr.  Barr's  suspension  Avas  referred  to  a  committee 
of  Synod  to  meet  at  Pittsburg,  on  the  fourth  Tuesday,  inst. 
Mr.  Dunlap,  by  letter,  informed  Presbytery,  at  his  own  re- 
quest the  settlement  with  Dunlap's  Creek  Congregation  is 
deferred.     Mr.  M'Pherrin  reports  his  appointments  fulfilled. 

The  Rev.  Robert  Finley,  formerly  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  South  Carolina,  applied  to  be  received ;  and  pro- 
ducing the  requisite  testimonials  and  a  dismission — was  duly 
received.  The  Presbytery,  according  to  appointment,  pro- 
ceeded to  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Joseph  Patterson,  and  did 
by  fasting  and  prayer,  and  with  the  imposition  of  hands  of 
Presbytery,  set  him  apart  to  the  holy  office  of  the  gospel 
ministry.  Mr.  Dod  preached  upon  the  occasion  from  Acts 
XX.,  28.  Mr.  M'Millan  presided,  and  Mr.  Robert  Finley 
gave  the  charge.  Mr. .  Patterson  now  takes  his  seat  as  a 
member.  Mr.  Marshal  produced  his  Presbyterial  exercise, 
which  was  sustained.  A  lecture — appointed  to  him  on  Malachi 
iv.,  1-6,  and  a  popular  sermon  on  Titus  ii.,  14,  by  next 
meeting.  The  ordination  of  Mr.  Hughes — appointed  to  be 
at  Short  creek,  on  the  third  Wednesday  of  April  next — Mr. 

the  Rev.  Moses  Allen  was  installed  pastor  of  this  church.  He  was  dis- 
missed in  183-.  In  June,  1841,  the  Rev.  Clement  N.  M'Kaig,  their 
present  pastor,  was  ordained  and  installed  among  them.  Their  present 
number  of  communicants  (1854)— 280.  This  church  shared  largely  in 
the  glorious  revival  of  1802.  In  October  of  that  year,  the  Lord's 
supper  was  administered  there ;  and  the  mighty  power  of  divine  grace 
was  displayed  on  that  occasion,  in  the  conviction  and  conversion  of 
great  numbers.  This  church  has  also  ministered  to  the  formation  and 
growth  of  not  only  other  churches  around,  but  of  various  churches 
through  the  West.  It  has  always  been,  and  is  still,  one  of  the  heights 
of  our  Western  Zion. 
25 


386  A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH    OF 

Smith  to  preach  the  ordhiation  sermon,  and  xJr.  J.  Fuiley 
to  preside  and  give  the  charge.  The  ordination  of  Mr.  Brice 
— appointed  at  Three  Ridges,  on  the  fourth  Thursday  of 
April  next :  Mr.  Dunlap  is  appointed  to  preach  the  ordination 
sermon,  and  Mr.  M'Millan  to  preside  and  give  the  charge. 

Agreeably  to  a  recommendation  of  the  Synod  of  Virginia, 
for  raising  contributions  for  the  support  of  missionaries,  the 
Presbytery  agree  to  make  contributions  in  the  several  con- 
gregations for  that  purpose,  as  soon  as  convenient,  and  that 
the  report  of  success  in  the  same,  be  brought  in,  at  our  next 
meeting.     Mr.  Porter — discourses  sustained. 

"  The  Presbytery  having  received  sufficient  testimonials," 
&c.  —  (see  Formulary  for  the  Government  of  the  Church, 
chapter  xiv.,  section  8.)  —  Mr.  Samuel  Porter  was  licensed. 
Supplies  assigned  him  at  nearly  all  the  above  mentioned  places. 
Adjourned  to  meet  at  Short  creek,  on  the  third  Tuesday  of 
April  next.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

A  Biographical  Sketch  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Patterson 
— hy  the  Rev.  E.  P.  Sivift,  D.  i>., — to  which  are  added 
several  illustrative  anecdotes. 

The  Rev.  Joseph  Patterson  was  born  in  the  county  of 
Down,  Ireland,  A.  D.  1752.  He  was  descended  from  an 
ancestry  distinguished  for  their  piety:  and  the  exemplary 
and  eminent  godliness  of  his  parents  appears  to  have  early 
impressed  itself  upon  his  youthful  mind.  Although  there  is 
reason  to  believe  that  he  became  the  subject  of  permanent 
and  saving  impressions  of  religion  at  the  early  age  of  ten 
years,  his  conviction  of  sin,  and  his  apprehension  of  the  work 
and  offices  of  Christ  and  the  plan  of  salvation,  were  appa- 
rently marked  with  all  the  clearness  and  impressiveness  of 
maturer  years.  Under  the  impulse  of  these  deep  impressions 
of  divine  truth,  he,  with  three  or  four  little  associates,  ex- 
hibited the  delightful  scene  of  a  circle  of  children,  accustomed 
statedly  and  privately  to  meet  in  a  retired  copse  of  thorns  to 


THE    REV.    JOSEPH    PATTERSON.  387 

unite  in  their  supplications  to  the  Divine  Redeemer  for  pardon 
and  salvation :  and  it  was  ^vhen  these  serious  and  observant 
children  began  to  ask  him,  with  increasing  astonishment, 
where  he  obtained  those  new  prayers  which  he  was  accus- 
tomed to  offer  in  their  hearing,  that  we  may  trace  the  first 
openings  of  that  Christian  character,  which  has  since,  for 
more  than  half  a  century,  been  maturing  and  shedding  its 
influence  upon  all  the  circles  in  which  he  moved.  His  first 
clear  apprehensions  of  the  way  of  salvation  seem  to  have 
been  derived  from  an  affectionate  explanation  of  it  by  his 
pious  father  while  ploughing  in  the  field,  when  he  was  enabled 
cordially  to  accept  it,  and  embrace  Christ,  as  his  everlasting 
portion.  Nor  would  such  early  beginnings  of  a  life  of  faith 
and  prayer  be  so  rare  as  they  are  in  the  church,  if  Christian 
parents  in  like  manner  were  in  the  habit  of  thus  wisely  and 
kindly  turning  the  hours  of  active  business  into  the  seasons 
of  mingled  instruction  and  fervent  prayer. 

At  the  age  of  twenty,  Mr.  Patterson,  having  united  in 
marriage  with  one  whose  domestic  virtues,  and  humble,  fervent 
piety  greatly  contributed  to  his  prosperity  and  happiness  for 
many  years,  emigrated  to  America,  and  after  a  short  stay  in 
Pennsylvania,  established  himself  under  the  ministry  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Clarke,  in  the  county  of  Saratoga,  in  the  State  of 
New  York.  He  appears  to  have  been  influenced  in  this 
choice  of  a  residence,  by  a  desire  to  enjoy  the  instructions 
of  this  estimable  man,  of  whose  sincere  godliness  and  useful 
labors  he  often  spoke  with  great  respect  and  commendation. 
The  arrival  of  his  parents  in  Pennsylvania,  in  1774,  led  him 
to  return  to  this  State ;  and  from  this  period  until  the  com- 
mencement of  th^Revolutionary  war,  he  was  chiefly  employed 
in  the  instruction  of  a  school  near  Germantown.  Being  thus 
near  the  spot  where  that  illustrious  convention  met  which 
drew  up  and  signed  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  he  was 
present  to  hear  it  first  publicly  read,  and  his  mind  largely 
shared  in  those  exalted  sentiments  of  patriotism,  which  then 
so  universally  consecrated  the  intelligence,  and  piety,  and 


388  A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH    OF 

resources  of  our  country,  to  one  great  effort  for  its  deliver- 
ance. As  a  volunteer  in  this  good  cause,  he  forsook  his 
school,  and  embarked  in  all  the  dangers  and  perils  of  his 
country's  freedom ;  and  here,  amidst  the  varied  fortunes  of 
the  Revolutionary  contest,  he  passed  some  of  the  most  inte- 
resting scenes  of  his  long  and  prosperous  life. 

In  1777,  he  removed  to  York  County,  and  in  1779  to 
AVashington  County,  accompanied  in  his  removal  to  this  then 
new  and  thinly  inhabited  country  by  many  valuable  Chris- 
tian friends,  "vvith  whom  he  had  become  acquainted  in  the 
place  of  his  last  residence.  These  were  the  days,  in  the  set- 
tlement of  this  western  land,  which  "tried  men's  souls."  Be- 
sides the  moral  courage  demanded  in  removing  so  far  from 
the  nearest  white  settlements  on  the  eastern  slope  of  the 
mountains,  and  that  by  a  road  almost  impassable,  on  which 
alone  some  of  the  staple  articles  of  life  were  to  come,  if  they 
ever  reached  these  remote  dwellings  in  the  West,  they  were 
subject  to  the  most  appalling  scenes  of  massacre  and  devasta- 
tion from  those  numerous  tribes  of  Indians  who  occupied  the 
Western  forests.  Often  were  the  new  and  thinly-scattered 
clusters  of  civilized  habitations  alarmed  by  the  sudden  incur- 
sions of  this  barbarous  foe ;  and  the  patriarchal  father,  now 
deceased,  in  common  with  the  sturdy,  and  pious,  and  enter- 
prising yeomanry  of  that  period,  often  took  his  rifle  upon  his 
shoulder,  as  he  started  through  the  woods  of  a  Sabbath  morn- 
ing to  the  house  of  God,  as  a  kind  of  necessary  appendage, 
to  defend  his  person  by  the  way,  and  to  aid  in  the  protection 
of  his  fellow-worshippers,  in  the  event  of  a  preconcerted  and 
murderous  surprisal.  And  these  desperate  invaders  often 
lurked  for  days  around  the  abodes  and  fields  of  the  unsus- 
pecting settlers,  and  here  and  there,  as  they  found  it  practi- 
cable, they  would  fall  upon  the  unprotected  cabin,  rob  it  of 
its  contents,  massacre  its  inmates,  and  reduce  it  to  ashes. 
Amidst  these  scenes  of  danger,  and  these  exercises  of  trust 
in  God,  often  did  this  worthy  man,  in  common  with  others, 
experience  those  manifest  interpositions  and  deliverances  of 


THE    REV.    JOSEPH    PATTERSON.  389 

Providence,  ^vliich  recalled  to  their  minds,  Avith  grateful  emo- 
tion, the  assured  aspiration  of  the  Psalmist,  'Because  tliou 
hast  made  the  Lord  which  is  my  refuge,  even  the  Most  High, 
thy  habitation ;  thou  shalt  not  be  afraid  for  the  terror  b}- 
night,  for  he  shall  give  his  angels  charge  over  thee,  to  keep 
thee  in  all  thy  ways.' 

"Mr.  Patterson  had,  at  a  very  early  period  of  his  life,  felt 
a  strong  desire  to  devote  himself  to  the  work  of  the  gospel 
ministry ;  but  as  the  events  of  his  life  did  not  seem  to  open 
the  way  for  the  prosecution  of  the  studies  which  are  customary 
in  such  cases,  he  appears  to  have  for  some  time  abandoned 
that  pleasing  hope  with  respect  to  himself,  and  concentrated 
his  wishes  and  his  prayers  in  the  object  of  rearing  up  a  son, 
whom  he  might  thus  devote  to  the  work  of  the  Lord.  The 
rapid  increase  of  the  settlements,  and  the  great  destitution 
among  the  people  of  the  means  of  grace,  led  those  honored 
and  self-denied  fathers,  on  whom  '  came  daily  the  care  of  all 
the  churches'  in  the  wilderness,  to  put  in  requisition  every 
practicable  means  of  supplying  the  lack  of  gospel  instruction  : 
and  with  a  judiciousness  and  discrimination  which  subsequent 
events  abundantly  confirmed,  they  directed  the  attention  of  a 
few  men  '  of  good  report'  in  the  churches,  and  inured  to  the 
privations  of  this  new  country,  to  the  duty  of  such  an  imme- 
diate preparation  for  the  sacred  office  as  circumstances  would 
permit.  Mr.  Patterson's  character  for  religious  attainments 
and  eminent  piety,  at  once  identified  him  as  one  on  whom  the 
hopes  of  Zion  should  be  fixed ;  and,  accordingly,  in  a  short 
narrative  now  before  the  writer,  he  modestly  and  briefly  says, 
in  reference  to  this  subject :  '  In  the  fall  of  the  year  1785, 
being  thirty-three  years  old,  it  was  thought  best,  with  the 
advice  of  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone,  that  I  should  endeavor 
to  prepare  for  the  gospel  ministry.  There  being  no  places 
of  public  education  in  this  western  country,  I,  with  a  few 
others,  engaged  in  preparatory  studies  with  the  Rev.  Joseph 
Smith,  of  Buffalo  congregation,  Washington  County,  Pa.' 
While  under  the  tuition  of  this  able  man,  of  whose  zeal,  and 


390  A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH   OF 

fervor,  and  pulpit  eloquence,  the  ancients  have  preserved  a 
lively  remembrance,  and  -while  engaged  in  his  theological 
studies,  Mr.  Patterson  appears  to  have  preserved,  in  an  emi- 
nent degree,  a  life  of  communion  with  God,  and  deep  and 
growing  concern  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  his  fellow-men. 
Among  the  original  papers,  w^hich,  we  regret  to  saj,  are  few, 
that  were  left  by  this  venerable  man,  there  is  a  series  of  let- 
ters which  he  wrote  to  Mrs.  Patterson  and  the  children, 
during  his  residence  abroad,  and  the  perusal  of  which  cannot 
but  produce  an  earnest  wish  that  every  student  of  theology 
might  learn  how  entirely,  as  it  were,  the  great  and  glorious 
topics  of  practical  religion  may  absorb  the  mind,  and  inter- 
weave themselves  with  all  the  communications  of  private 
friendship,  and  conjugal  and  parental  affection,  while,  at  the 
same  time,  the  mind  is  successfully  engaged  in*  the  acquisition 
of  academical  knowledge.  This  term  of  preparation  was  also 
replete  with  such  periods  of  great  religious  enjoyment,  and 
with  such  special  answers  to  prayer,  and  such  Providential 
leadings  and  deliverances,  as  not  only  tended  to  confirm  his 
mind  in  the  belief  of  his  call  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  but 
to  make  that  ministry  a  richer  blessing  to  the  people  of  his 
charge. 

"  Having  completed  his  studies,  and  sustained  his  trials 
before  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone,  he  was  licensed  to  preach 
the  gospel  in  August,  1T88.  There  was  a  little  incident  con- 
nected with  this  event,  and  related  to  the  writer  by  him,  a 
short  period  before  his  death,  which  not  only  illustrates  the 
beauties  of  domestic  piety,  but  the  loving-kindness  of  the  Lord 
to  all  who  wait  upon  him.  The  mind  of  this  godly  man  was 
anxious,  for  some  time  before,  not  only  that  his  trial  discourse 
might  be  sustained  by  the  Presbytery,  but  that  his  first  essay 
at  preaching  the  gospel  might  be  blessed  to  the  souls  of  the 
people  in  whose  audience  it  was  to  be  delivered.  As  he  was 
about  to  mount  his  horse  to  repair  to  the  Presbytery,  there- 
fore, he  said  to  Mrs.  Patterson,  on  taking  his  leave :  *Accord- 
ing  to  the  established  order  of  Presbytery,  I  shall  be  called 


THE   REV.    JOSEPH    PATTERSON.  391 

to  preach  my  trial  sermon  on  Thursday  at  12  o'cloclc,  and  I 
would  thank  you  to  remember  me  at  the  throne  of  grace  at 
that  time.'  Contrary,  however,  to  his  expectation,  he  was 
called  to  fulfil  this  customary  service  at  the  same  hour  on  the 
preceding  day.  On  entering  his  house  on  his  return,  ■\Irs. 
Patterson  said  to  him :  '  I  think  you  did  not  deliver  your 
trial  sermon  on  Thursday,  as  you  expected.'  *When  did  I, 
then?'  he  inquired.  ^I  think,' she  seriously  replied,  'from 
the  impressions  which  were  made  upon  my  mind,  that  it 
was  at  12  o'clock  on  Wednesday !'  Such  a  fact  needs  no 
comment. 

"  In  April,  1789,  or  about  eight  months  after  his  licensure, 
Mr.  P.  received  and  accepted  a  call  to  take  the  pastoral 
charge  of  the  united  congregations  of  Raccoon  and  Montour's 
Run.  He  continued  to  serve  these  two  congregations  for 
about  ten  or  twelve  years,  when  it  wasffound  that  each  had 
become  sufficiently  large  to  require  the  exclusive  services 
of  a  gospel  minister,  and  he  accordingly  resigned  the  care  of 
the  latter  ;  and  from  that  time  until  bodily  infirmities  rendered 
it  impossible  for  him  longer  to  sustain  the  pastoral  relation, 
(which  occurred  in  the  autumn  of  1816,  after  he  had  been  for 
twenty-seven  years  and  a  half  pastor  of  Raccoon,)  he  con- 
tinued his  persevering  and  faithful  labors  among  that  favored 
people.  The  only  record  which  this  venerable  father  has  left 
of  these  years  of  exemplary  ministerial  fidelity,  is  contained 
in  the  brief  and  humble  memorandum  which  he  made  on  de- 
mitting  his  solemn  charge  into  the  hands  of  Presbytery: — 'I 
resigned  my  charge  on  account  of  bodily  infirmity,  after  being 
pastor  of  Raccoon  twenty-seven  years  and  six  months ;  for 
every  day  of  which  I  need  pardon  through  the  blood  of 
Christ.'  That  record,  however,  which  his  humility  and  self- 
abasement  would  not  allow  him  to  make,  abundantly  exists  in 
the  grateful  remembrance  of  the  people,  in  the  growth  and 
size  of  his  congregations,  and  in  those  frequent  and  powerful 
revivals  of  religion  with  which  his  ministry  was  owned  and 
blessed  of  God.     That,  as  a  pastor,  he  was  abundant  in  his 


392  A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH   OP 

labors,  was  honored  and  beloved  of  his  people,  and  for  a  long 
course  of  years  dwelt  as  a  father  among  his  children,  is  a  fact 
to  which  many  can  bear  the  fullest  testimony. 

"  Besides  some  other  bereavements  of  his  children,  Mr. 
Patterson  was  called,  during  his  residence  at  Raccoon,  (in 
1808,)  to  follow  his  pious  partner  to  the  grave ;  and,  deeply 
as  his  feelings  must  have  been  affected  by  so  trying  a  dispen- 
sation, he  was  enabled,  in  compliance  with  a  mutual  agree- 
ment which  had  been  entered  into  between  them  years  before, 
in  relation  to  the  survivor,  to  sit  at  her  dying  pillow,  and 
explain  the  nature  and  consequences  of  the  believer's  death, 
till  her  spirit  fled.  He  had  the  satisfaction,  however,  amid 
the  darkest  hours  of  life,  to  enjoy  the  precious  light  of  the 
Redeemer's  presence,  and  to  see  all  his  children  hopefully 
■united  to  Christ  in  the  bonds  of  the  covenant,  and  happily 
settled  in  the  relations  and  pursuits  of  life.  At  his  second 
marriage,  (in  1812,)  which  was  one  of  much  happiness  to 
himself  and  his  children,  and  of  which  he  makes  a  very  affec- 
tionate mention  in  his  will,  it  would  be  unsuitable  for  us  to 
say  more  than  that  his  departure  has  left  in  widowhood  one 
of  kindred  spirit  with  himself. 

*'Nor  were  his  cares  and  efforts  confined  to  the  people  of  his 
charcje.  He  was  one  of  the  founders,  and  an  active  officer 
for  many  years,  of  the  Western  Missionary  Society ;  and, 
from  numerous  memoranda  in  his  note  books,  it  appears  that 
he  not  only  diligently  collected  funds  in  aid  of  that  Society, 
but  that  he  was,  for  some  years  from  and  after  the  erection 
of  the  academy  at  Canonsburg,  (now  Jefferson  College,)  much 
engaged  in  collecting  donations,  and  otherwise  actively  pro- 
moting the  interests  of  that  flourishing  institution,  of  which 
he  was  a  trustee. 

"  Like  other  ministers  of  his  day,  *  whose  praise  is  in  all 
these  western  churches,'  he  often  took  missionary  tours,  for 
the  purpose  of  visifing  new  and  destitute  settlements,  and  ad- 
ministering gospel  ordinances  to  young  and  feeble  churches. 
It  is  believed  that  he  preached  the  first  sermon  which  was 


THE    REV.    JOSEPH    PATTERSON.  393 

ever  (lelivcred  to  a  congregation  of  Avhite  people  north-west 
of  the  Ohio  river  ;  and  there  is  before  us  a  journal  of  a  tour 
of  several  months,  as  a  missionary  to  the  Shawnee  Indians, 
on  the  branches  of  the  Maumee,  Ohio,  in  the  summer  of  1802, 
•which  is  replete  with  useful  information,  and  with  interesting 
and  surprising  incidents,  illustrative  of  the  perils  and  priva- 
tions of  the  enterprise,  the  zeal  and  perseverance  with  whi6h 
it  was  executed,  and  the  Brainard-like  spirituality  and  prayer- 
fulness  of  the  missionary. 

"  That  this  devoted  man  was,  during  the  period  of  his 
stated  ministry,  engaged  in  preaching  the  Word  both  *  in  sea- 
son and  out  of  season,'  at  home  and  abroad,  more  abundantly 
than  most  men,  is  manifest  from  the  fact  that,  besides  exhor- 
tations and  addresses  delivered  in  numerous  social  meetings, 
he  preached  in  this  time  2572  sermons  and  lectures,  exclusive 
of  afternoon  discourses,  when  they  formed  part  of  the  subject 
discussed  in  the  morning.  It  is  worthy  of  remark,  also,  as 
appears  from  the  list  which  he  regularly  kept  of  the  passages 
on  which  he  discoursed,  that  he  seldom  preached  a  second 
time  on  the  same  text,  and  when  he  did,  it  was  seldom  sub- 
stantially the  same  discourse. 

"  When  the  infirmities  of  life  required  this  venerable  minis- 
ter reluctantly  to  relinquish  the  charge  of  his  beloved  flock, 
he  wisely  resolved  to  leave  the  field  of  his  former  labors,  and 
pass  the  remainder  of  his  days  in  this  city,  where  his  attend- 
ance on  divine  ordinances  would  be  attended  with  less  incon- 
venience—  where  he  might  enjoy  the  society  of  the  families 
of  two  of  his  surviving  children  —  and  where  he  might  also 
prolong  the  period  of  his  active  services  in  the  cause  of  Christ. 
Indeed,  it  may  well  be  doubted  whether  this  change  did  not, 
in  fact,  augment,  rather  than  diminish,  the  amount  of  his  use- 
fulness to  the  church  of  God.  This  suggestion  is  based  upon 
the  unquestionable  fact,  that  no  man,  at  his  time  of  life,  could 
have  been  more  actively  engaged  in  his  Master's  work,  than 
was  this  excellent  man  during  the  fourteen  years  in  which  he 
dwelt  in  this  city,  and  that  it  is  diflScult  to  see  how  his  quali- 


394  A    BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH    OF 

fications  for  usefulness  could,  at  his  age,  have  been  turned  to 
better  account  than  thej  actually  were. 
"7^  "Without,  it  is  believed,  any  formal  rule  on  the  subject, 
Mr.  P.  was  accustomed,  when  in  tolerable  health,  and  the 
weather  favorable,  to  divide  his  time  in  such  a  way  as  to  give 
to  every  day  its  appropriate  share  in  the  three  following  em- 
ployments, viz. :  1.  Reading,  meditation  and  prayer.  2.  Social 
religious  intercourse,  in  which  he  received  and  conversed  with 
his  friends,  and  those  who  sought  his  advice 'and  an  interest 
in  his  prayers ;  friendly  visits  to  the  sick,  bereaved  and 
afflicted,  and  calls  upon  such  of  various  denominations  and 
stations  in  life  as  prized  his  friendship,  and  were  cheered, 
quickened  and  instructed  by  his  kind  and  parental  admoni- 
tions, and  his  judicious  and  affectionate  counsels.  3.  Active 
labors  in  the  distribution  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  —  in  watch- 
ing over  the  interests,  and  transacting  a  large  share  of  the 
business,  of  Bible,  Missionary,  Sabbath  School,  Tract,  and 
such  other  benevolent  societies  as  relied  upon  his  prompt  and 
vigilant  attention  to  their  welfare.  At  some  seasons  of  the 
year,  almost  every  day  of  the  week  would  find  him  passing 
along  the  shores  of  our  rivers,  entering  hundreds  of  boats  con- 
taining families  of  emigrants  from  various  parts  of  the  world, 
kindly  inquiring  after  the  temporal  and  spiritual  welfare  of 
these  often  destitute  and  afflicted  strangers,  giving  them  such 
advice  as  to  their  secular  concerns  as  they  needed,  and 
making  sure  that  they  were  supplied  with  a  copy  of  the  Bible. 
There  was  a  familiarity,  an  affection,  and  an  impressiveness 
in  these  brief  comm^unications  —  so  benevolent,  pains-taking 
and  cordial  in  themselves  —  as  often  made  a  deep  impression 
upon  the  mind :  and  it  is  believed  that  there  are  hundreds  of 
families  scattered  through  the  vast  regions  of  the  West,  Avho 
will  long  remember  the  kindness  and  counsels  of  this  apostolic 
man,  whom  they  never  saw  or  knew,  but  when  they  touched 
for  a  few  hours  at  the  wharves  of  this  city. 

"  Sometimes  they  would  follow  him  from  boat  to  boat,  to 
listen  to  his  brief  and  appropriate  instructions  —  at  others, 


THE    REV.    JOSEPH    PATTERSON'.  395 

tliey  would  betray  a  strong  curiosity  to  know  what  could  be 
his  motive,  in  taking  so  much  pains,  at  his  advanced  a«^e,  to 
ascertain  whether  they  possessed  the  Bible,  or  wanted  any- 
thing which  he  could  supply ;  but,  at  all  times,  they  treated 
him  with  great  respect,  and  often  expressed  their  obligations 
in  the  most  grateful  manner. 

"He  acted  as  agent  for  the  receipt  and  distribution  of 
Bibles,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  for  the  Pittsburg,  the 
Young  Glen's  and  Female  Bible  Societies  of  this  city,  and 
for  the  Philadelphia  and  American  Bible  Societies,  which  oc- 
casionally placed  donations  of  the  sacred  volume  at  his  dis- 
posal, as  did  the  British  and  Foreign  Eible  Society,  on  one 
occasion,  100  Irish  Testaments.  During  his  fourteen  years' 
residence  in  this  cit}^,  it  appears,  from  his  entries,  that  he  re- 
ceived and  distributed  3920  Bibles,  and  2943  Testaments, 
making  a  total  of  G8C3  copies.  When  it  is  considered,  that 
most  of  these  were  accompanied  with  his  affectionate  and  faith- 
ful counsels  and  fervent  prayers,  we  see  what  a  noble  monu- 
ment to  his  industry  and  usefulness  is  here  reared. 

"  Individuals  and  societies  at  a  distance  also  were  occasion- 
ally in  the  habit  of  requesting  him  to  transact  for  them  such 
items  of  business,  pertaining  to  the  interests  of  religion,  as 
demanded  the  exercise  of  his  judgment;  and  it  was  frequently 
truly  instructive  to  see  with  what  fidelity  and  promptness  he 
fulfilled  their  wishes,  and  aided  them  in  their  attempts  to  build 
up  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  He  was  long  a  very  efficient 
and  active  friend  of  the  American  Tract  Society,  and  dis- 
tributed, with  his  own  hands,  many  thousands  of  these  and 
other  useful  publications. 

"  From  a  book  containing  the  names  of  a  large  number  of 
citizens  of  different  denominations,  engaging  to  meet  and  form 
a  Sabbath  School  Society,  and  dated  November,  1817,  it  would 
appear  that  the  association,  afterwards  called  the  Sabbath 
School  Union,  originated  in  the  personal  exertions  of  this 
diligent  and  persevering  servant  of  Christ ;  and,  for  some  years 
after  this  period,  he  was  chiefly  depended  upon  for  the  col- 


396  A    BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH    OF 

laction  of  its  necessary  funds,  as  he  was  frequently  found 
visiting  and  addressing  those  precious  seminaries  of  youthful 
piety  and  virtue.  Indeed,  among  no  class  of  persons  was  he 
more  highly  respected,  and  sincerely  loved,  than  the  youths 
and  children  of  our  Sabbath-schools.  He  had  a  faculty  of 
interesting  and  gaining  the  attention  of  children,  as  valuable 
as  it  is  rare,  and  hence,  they  not  only  loved  to  hear  him  speak, 
and  to  greet  him  when  they  met  him  in  the  streets,  but  were 
often  ambitious  to  do  him  some  act  of  kindness. 

"His  known  reputation  for  wisdom  and  prudence,  and 
accessibility  to  all  classes  of  persons,  united  with  his  deep 
experimental  knowledge  of  religion,  naturally  led  persons  of 
various  ages  and  stations  in  life  to  spread  before  him  their 
peculiar  difficulties,  and  solicit  his  judgment  on  questions  of 
casuistry,  and  his  advice  on  points  of  duty ;  and  while  he 
never  betrayed  the  trust  reposed  in  him,  and  entered  feelingly 
into  the  trials  and  perplexities  of  his  friends,  and  led  them 
earnestly  to  a  Throne  of  Grace,  he  seldom  failed  to  leave  on 
their  minds  a  deep  sense  of  the  soundness  of  his  understanding 
and  the  sincerity  of  his  heart. 

"  To  the  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  and  especially  to  his 
young  brethren,  preparing  for,  or  just  entering  upon  the  work, 
and  such  as  were  going  to  labor  in  the  new  and  distant  fields 
of  the  West,  he  was  eminently  useful,  as  an  intimate  acquaint- 
ance with  the  trials,  and  discouragements,  and  temptations 
of  the  ministerial  office,  and  a  long  and  accurate  knowledge 
of  men  and  things,  fitted  him  to  point  out  to  them  their  dan- 
gers, and  the  grounds  of  their  encouragement,  and  impart  to 
them  the  most  valuable  practical  instruction.  He  usually 
saw,  interested  himself  in,  and  conversed  with,  ministers 
passing  through  this  city  to  their  respective  stations  in  the 
"West ;  and  it  is  believed  that  there  are  many  who  will  remem- 
ber him  with  gratitude  and  pleasure  as  long  as  they  live. 
Thus,  on  the  verge  of  eighty,  and  with  bodily  infirmities  which 
would  have  entirely  laid  aside  any  man  of  ordinary  resolution, 
this  venerable  minister  of  Christ  was  in  these  useful  employ- 


THE    REV.    JOSEPH    PATTERSON.  397 

monts  exhibiting  a  pattern  of  industry  and  of  method  in  the 
despatch  of  business  wliicli  often  astonished  and  delighted  the 
observer.  Nor  -^vas  this  all.  Besides  a  great  number  of  ad- 
dresses and  exhortations  delivered  in  public  assemblies,  and 
in  more  private  circles  of  social  worship,  he  preached  one 
hundred  and  seventy  sermons  during  his  residence  in  this 
city ;  and  almost  always  bore  a  large  share  of  the  labors  at- 
tendant on  the  administration  of  the  sacramental  supper  in 
our  churches.  Although  all  his  public  performances  were 
highly  edifying  and  instructive,  especially  to  experienced 
Christians,  (the  class  of  persons  for  whom  they  were  generally 
intended,  and  whom,  as  he  often  remarked,  he  seemed  espe- 
cially qualified  and  designed  to  benefit,)  yet  it  was  on  these 
occasions  in  particular  that  the  depth  of  his  experimental 
knowledge,  the  lustre  of  his  graces,  and  the  intimacy  of  his 
communion  with  God,  shone  out  in  the  strongest  light.  Every 
one  who  knew  his  worth,  delighted  to  see  and  hear  him  when 
he  rose  to  dispense  those  sacramental  emblems,  and  address, 
out  of  the  fulness  of  his  heart,  those  whom  he  loved  as  dear 
children  in  the  family  of  Christ.  His  addresses  also,  and  his 
prayers  on  days  of  fasting,  humiliation,  or  any  special  occa- 
sions, and  in  church  judicatories,  were  always  singularly  fer- 
vent, appropriate,  and  impressive. 

"  The  last  discourse  which  he  delivered  was  on  Sabbath, 
the  8th  of  January,  in  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church ;  and 
it  was  truly,  in  its  matter  and  its  manner,  such  a  testimony 
for  the  great  Master,  as  any  gospel  minister  might  feel  happy 
to  give,  on  taking  his  final  leave  of  the  pulpit,  and  ascending 
to  his  last  account.  The  *  path  of  the  just  as  a  shining  light' 
was  his  topic,  and  to  unfold  the  duties  and  sins,  the  trials  and 
deliverances,  the  hopes  and  fears  of  that  path,  until  it  termi- 
nates on  Jordan's  other  shore,  was  the,  object  of  the  preacher, 
and  an  object  which  seemed  so  to  interest,  to  absorb  his 
thoughts,  and  to  fill  his  heart  with  such  high  and  compre- 
hensive views  of  the  mysteries  of  redeeming  grace,  that  he 
forgot  the  infirmities  of  the  flesh,  and  with  the  vivacity  and 


398  A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH   OF 

animation  of  youth,  he  labored,  though  often  apparently  in 
vain,  to  give  utterance  to  those  conceptions  of  the  subject 
"which  crowded  upon  his  mind. 

^'  During  the  protracted  meetings  which  were  held  in  the 
first  and  second  Presbyterian  churches,  and  the  seasons  of 
sacramental  communion  with  which  they  were  accompanied, 
he  attended  most  of  the  services,  and  took  an  active  part  in 
their  labors.  These  public  exercises  were  closed  in  the  con- 
gregation with  which  he  usually  worshipped,  on  Monday, 
January  30,  when  he  gave  a  very  solemn  exhortation  to  the 
people,  which  proved  to  be  the  last  official  act  of  his  life.  On 
Wednesday,  Thursday,  and  Friday,  he  seemed  as  Avell  as 
usual,  and  nothing  very  noticeable  occurred,  except  that  in 
the  devotional  exercises  of  the  family,  particularly  on  the  last 
of  these  evenings,  his  mind  seemed  remarkably  drawn  out  in 
prayer  for  his  children,  his  grand-children,  the  Theological 
Seminary,  the  ministers  of  the  gospel,  and  the  church  of  God, 
and,  last  of  all,  for  this  ungodly  city.  It  is  interesting  and 
solemn  here  to  record  the  fact,  that  on  this  memorable  occa- 
sion, in  which,  with  his  beloved  and  affectionate  partner,  he 
approached,  for  the  last  time  on  earth,  the  family  altar,  he 
dwelt  with  so  much  length  and  earnestness  upon  these  topics, 
that  when  he  closed,  he  needed  her  assistance  to  rise  and  re- 
sume his  seat.  "What  a  sublime  and  enviable  termination  this, 
of  the  domestic  devotions  of  sixty  years  !  And  except,  also, 
that  often  during  the  day  he  was  heard  to  hum  to  himself,  as 
though  enjoying  a  pleasing  foretaste  of  heaven,  that  beautiful 
hymn,  containing  the  words  — 

"  '  Soon  shall  I  pass  the  gloomy  vale, 
Soon  all  my  mortal  powers  must  fail 
0  may  my  last  expiring  breath 
His  loving-kindness  sing  in  death.' 

"  He  had  frequently  expressed  it  as  his  desire  and  prayer, 
that  his  departure  might  be  sudden  and  tranquil,  and  he  often 
spoke  with  a  degree  of  confidence  that  it  would  happen  during 
his  80th  year.     Having  spent  the  chief  of  the  day  in  the 


THE    REV.    JOSEril    PATTERSON.  399 

family  of  his  son,  Rev.  Robert  Patterson,  lie  returned  home, 
and  retired  as  usual  on  Friday  night.  About  one  o'clock,  on 
Saturday  morning,  he  a^yoke  unwell,  and  arose,  expressing 
the  hope  that  he  should  feel  better  by  so  doing.  Soon  after, 
however,  he  said  to  Mrs.  Patterson,  with  great  composure : 
'I  am  dying  —  call  in  the  doctor,  and  my  son  Joseph' — these 
gentlemen  occupying  the  dwellings  imtnediately  adjoin-ing  his 
own.  Aware,  it  would  seem,  of  the  rapidity  of  his  decline, 
and  anxious  once  more  to  see  his  son,  Joseph  Patterson,  Esq., 
he  asked,  'Is  Joseph  coming?'  On  being  answered  in  the 
affirmative,  he  simply  added  :  '  The  time  is  come — Lord  help ;' 
closed  his  eyes,  and,  w^ithout  a  struggle,  sank  into  the  sleep 
of  death  —  completely  realizing,  in  his  decease,  all  his  fond 
anticipations  respecting  it.  Though  long  expected,  his  de- 
parture produced  a  deep  sensation  among  all  classes  of  the 
community,  and  the  grave  and  solemn  air  of  the  vast  assem- 
blage which  followed  his  remains  to  the  tomb,  testified  their 
sympathy  and  great  sense  of  his  worth. 

"  In  casting  a  retrospective  glance  at  the  prominent  traits 
of  character  in  the  venerable  subject  of  the  preceding  narra- 
tive, and  presenting  a  true  and  faithful  delineation  of  what 
he  was,  we  find  a  large  number  of  estimable  qualities,  all 
moulded  and  formed  by  the  influence  of  an  early  and  eminent 
piety,  rather  than  the  unusual  and  prominent  development 
of  any  one  attribute. 

"Without  the  benefit  of  a  collegiate  education,  without 
the  aids  of  family  or  fortune,  and  without  a  direct  opening  to 
the  ministry  until  somewhat  advanced  in  life,  he  was  enabled 
by  the  force  of  his  own  moral  energy  and  perseverance  to 
arrive  to  a  degree  of  respectability  and  veneration  in  society, 
of  usefulness  to  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  of  maturity  and 
lustre  of  Christian  character,  which  few  men  under  such  cir- 
cumstances ever  obtain. 

"  On  inquiring  into  the  causes  which  led  to  these  results, 
we  find  them  (under  God,)  to  consist  in  the  union  of  a  sound, 
active,  practical  judgment,  and  a  heart  early  and  very  deeply 


400  A   BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH    OF 

imbued  with  the  graces  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  with  habits  of 
great  industry,  and  untiring  pereeverance. 

"1.  The  life  of  this  venerable  minister  of  Christ  illustrates 
the  benefits  of  early  piety,  and  piety  of  a  clear  and  decided 
stamp.  His  moral  energies,  his  trains  of  thought,  his  mental 
powers,  the  affections  of  his  heart,  and  the  aims  and  purposes 
of  his  life,  were  at  the  very  opening  of  life,  influenced,  and 
vitally  influenced,  by  the  forming,  and  invigorating  and  sanc- 
tifying power  of  gospel  grace ;  and  hence  his  Christian  char- 
acter at  eighty,  as  he  stood  on  the  verge  of  life,  like  the 
awe-inspiring  river  just  entering  the  ocean,  is  broad  and  deep, 
and  has  enriched  and  fertilized  many  a  land  in  its  course, 
because  it  took  its  rise  at  a  distance,  and  has  traversed  im- 
mense districts,  making  every  part  to  contribute  something  to 
augment  its  volume,  and  to  multiply  its  treasures.  His 
course  was  early  taken — and  his  onward  march  was  steady 
to  the  last.  In  the  extent  of  the  empire  of  grace  over  him, 
he  was  truly  one  of  thousands :  and  the  extent  to  which  his 
w^ords,  and  example,  and  prayers,  in  their  entire  moral  energy, 
have  aff'ected  the  minds  of  hundreds  and  thousands  of  the 
living  and  the  dead,  during  the  long  course  of  his  godly  life, 
must  have  been  great  indeed.  This  early  beginning,  and  be- 
ginning well,  involves  a  measure  of  physical,  and  intellectual, 
and  religious  training,  w^ithout  which  such  eminency  in  grace 
and  usefulness  can  hardly  be  expected  to  exist.  The  tall, 
majestic  oak,  that  overtops  the  wide  cluster  of  the  forest, 
indicates  as  truly  the  upward  course  of  its  early  shoot,  as  the 
antiquity  of  its  beginning  and  the  appropriateness  of  the  soil 
on  which  it  grows. 

"2.  Mr.  Patterson  was  eminently  a  practical  man.  He 
undertook  nothing  without  due  consideration ;  but  as  he  had 
an  accurate  practical  judgment,  and  was  resolute  and  perse- 
vering in  what  he  undertook,  so  his  expectations  of  ultimate 
success  were  sanguine.  The  same  principle  that  led  him  to 
prefer  practical  to  speculative  knowledge  —  action  to  mere 
theory,  and  which  led  him  to  exactness  and  punctuality  in 


THE    REV.    JOSEPH    PATTERSON.  401 

small  money  matters,  in  keeping  his  promises  and  observing 
his  appointments,  also  led  him  to  say  and  do  whatever  he 
intended,  just  as  the  occasion  presented.  Hence  he  had  a 
word  in  season  for  every  event  that  occurred,  and  to  meet  the 
character  and  situation  of  every  friend  he  met  in  the  street — 
if  the  busy,  driving  merchant,  he  would  say,  *  Well,  I  suppose 
it  would  be  a  great  inconvenience  to  you  to  die  to  day' — if 
the  afflicted  Christian  he  would  say,  *  The  children  of  God 
must  travel  the  tribulation  road  to  heaven,'  —  and  if  the 
smiling  little  child,  he  would  say,  *  Do  not  forget  how  dearly 
Christ  loves  pious,  obedient,  and  praying  children ;'  and  then 
pass  on,  producing  no  interruption  in  the  engagements  of 
others,  and  steadily  prosecuting  his  own.  This  trait  of  char- 
acter also  made  him  an  interesting  and  instructive  associate, 
an  engaging  preacher  of  the  gospel,  and  a  wise  counsellor. 
It  furnished  him  with  brief,  appropriate  and  striking  prover- 
bial remarks,  which  arrested  the  attention  and  fastened 
indelibly  in  the  memory.  His  practical  wisdom  and  stirring 
activity  enabled  him,  while  laboring  with  becoming  industry 
as  a  Christian  pastor,  so  to  manage  his  temporal  affairs  as  to 
provide  amply  for  the  maintenance  of  his  family,  the  educa- 
tion of  his  children,  and  the  liberal  exercise  of  hospitality 
and  charity ;  and  to  make  all  his  pursuits  subservient  to  the 
increase  of  his  knowledge  and  the  vigor  of  his  piety. 

"  3.  The  life  of  this  patriarchal  father  in  our  Israel,  affords 
a  very  remarkable  exhibition  of  the  effects  of  a  clear  and 
comprehensive  view  of  the  covenant  of  grace,  as  it  regulates 
and  influences  the  life  and  conduct  of  true  believers.  He 
regarded  the  promises  of  >  God,  made  in  and  through  Christ, 
to  the  church,  and  every  genuine  disciple,  not  as  mere  verbal 
declarations,  but  glorious  pledges  of  the  divine  favor,  to  be 
received  and  trusted  in  implicitly,  and  he  looked  upon  the 
believing  sinner  in  the  day  of  its  ratification  with  him,  through 
faith,  as  brought  into  a  state  that  would  affect  his  duty,  his 
safety  and  happiness  in  every  situation  in  life.  Thus  he 
became  a  most  attentive  observer  of  Providence,  and  relied 
26 


402  A   BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH    OF 

upon  its  general  results  with  as  much  confidence,  as  on  the 
continued  laws  of  nature.  Hence,  he  became  pre-eminently 
among  us,  a  man  of  prayer.  By  this  I  do  not  mean  simply 
that  he  prayed  much,  but  that  he  prayed  so  as  to  be  heard 
and  answered.  Ilis  views  of  the  covenant  led  him  not  only 
to  draw  near  to  God  —  to  exercise  the  privilege  of  laying 
every  matter  before  Him,  but  it  led  him  to  expect,  for  Christ's 
sake,  answers  of  peace,  and  tidings  of  joy  from  heaven  ;  and 
while  there  certainly  was  nothing  credulous  in  his  character, 
his  private  history  is  replete  with  striking  and  remarkable 
instances  of  direct  and  unequivocal  answers  to  prayer. 

"  He  looked  upon  the  Providence  of  God  as  a  development 
of  the  pledges  of  the  covenant,  so  far  as  the  church  and  every 
believer  in  Jesus  is  concerned ;  and  hence  all  its  events  in- 
structed him,  and  its  smallest  incidents  attracted  his  notice. 
The  frequent  striking  connection  between  the  course  and 
turns  of  Providence  and  his  own  prayers,  not  only  confirmed 
his  faith  in  Christianity,  but  gave  a  constant  and  gracious 
impulse  to  all  his  religious  feelings  and  efforts.  That  '  the 
eyes  of  the  Lord  are  upon  the  righteous,  and  his  ears  open 
to  their  cry,'  are  facts,  of  both  of  which  his  own  experience 
served  to  afford  peculiar  attestations.  Thus,  when  in  the 
army,  and  while  the  troops  were  sheltered  in  a  kind  of  tem- 
porary shed  made  of  rough  boards,  he  was  engaged  in  prayer 
in  his  own  apartment,  when  the  rifle  of  a  neighboring  soldier 
accidentally  went  off  so  as  to  shiver  and  break  its  force  on  a 
board  just  in  the  direction  and  near  the  person  of  the  kneeling 
suppliant.  At  another  time,  the  loss  of  an  article  of  great 
value  to  him,  because  given  in  answer  to  prayer,  led  him  so 
to  address  the  Throne  of  Grace  as  to  arrive  at  a  satisfactory 
persuasion  that  it  would  be  regained,  though  such  a  result  at 
the  time  seemed  nearly  impossible.  A  train  of  apparently 
mere  accidental  circumstances,  most  striking  in  themselves, 
realized  his  expectations,  and  filled  him  with  gratitude 
and  astonishment.  Many  affecting  instances  of  a  similar 
kind  might  be  enumerated.     One  of  the  most  common  and 


THE    REV.    JOSEPH    PATTERSON.  403 

familiar  themes  of  his  conversation  was,  that  the  whole  scheme 
of  Divine  Providence  is  one  most  wise,  and  just,  and  benevo- 
lent and  perfect  work,  of  which  every  trying  event  in  the 
believer's  life  is  a  necessary  part.  In  a  letter  written  to  a 
beloved  daughter,  then  in  deep  affliction,  after  dwelling  with 
great  force  and  beauty  upon  this  thought,  he  concludes  b}^ 
saying,  *Do  you  remember  the  dear,  pious  Mrs.  B.  of  Caro- 
lina, who,  when  her  two  only  sons  were  murdered,  said,  '  The 
pattern  of  my  chequered  web  would  not  have  been  complete 
without  these  two  red  stripes.  This  I  shall  see  when  it  is  out 
of  the  loom.'  So  it  is  with  all  the  stripes  in  your  chequered 
web,  my  dear  child.  You  will  not  tell  me  when  it  is  out  that 
it  was  an  ill-chosen  pattern.  It  is  just  as  good  and  as  hand- 
some now  as  it  will  be  then,  could  you  but  see  it  as  plain.' 
The  Redeemer  was  thus  to  his  mind  constantly  in  view,  as 
the  Suret}^  the  Guide,  and  sovereign  Lord  of  all  his  people  ; 
and  he  held  his  life  and  all  his  comforts  and  all  his  posses- 
sions as  not  his  own  ;  and  he  recommended  it  to  his  friends, 
often  to  renew  this  gift  and  consecration  of  all  things  to 
Christ.  This  sentiment  he  carried  with  him  to  the  very  end 
of  his  journey.  In  the  introductory  part  of  his  last  will  and 
testament,  he  has  this  impressive  sentence :  ^  I  have  not  my 
soul  and  body  to  dispose  of — they  have  with  my  most  cheerful 
and  resolute  determination  been  dedicated  to  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  more  than  sixty-four  years,  and  he  has  already  taken 
a  tender,  faithful,  gracious  care  of  them,  and  will  at  last  dis- 
pose of  them  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy 
Ghost,  the  only  living  and  true  God.  All  my  dear  relatives 
I  do  solemnly  dedicate  to  Him,  to  be  ruled,  governed  and 
saved  from  sin  and  wrath  by  his  wisdom,  power,  righteousness 
and  saving  grace — and  it  is  at  the  peril  of  each  of  them  who 
neglect  to  confirm  this  dedication.'  The  same  feeling,  that 
believers  were  Christ's  and  Christ  their's,  induced  him,  whose 
prayers  were  in  general,  any  thing  but  sameness  or  formality, 
to  conclude  his  supplications  often  with  the  petition,  ^  Under- 
take for  us,  0  Lord  Jesus,  in  all  the  concerns  of  thy  glory' — 


404  A   BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH    OF 

thus  recognizing,  as  it  existed  in  liis  own  mind,  the  principle 
that  he  is  the  great  undertaker  and  perfect  surety  of  all  his 
ransomed  ones.  So  after  preaching  in  reference  to  the  word 
spoken,  he  would  say,  *  Lord  accept  what  is  thine  and  pardon 
what  is  ours.' 

"  The  character  of  Mr.  Patterson's  religion,  and  the  warmth 
and  vigor  of  his  social  feelings,  were  such  as  to  make  grati- 
tude, contentment,  cheerfulness,  and  affection,  among  the 
most  noticeable  of  his  Christian  virtues.  His  private  letters 
to  Mrs.  P.,  and  his  missionary  journals,  are  full  of  expressions 
of  obligation  to  God,  and  satisfaction  and  delight  at  the 
thought  that  the  Lord  Jesus  was  doing  with  him  and  his  just 
as  he  pleased.  He  took  great  pleasure  in  social  intercourse ; 
and  his  easy,  polished  manners,  his  great  accessibility,  and 
his  inexhaustible  fund  of  striking  observations  and  useful 
anecdotes,  made  him  a  most  agreeable  companion  to  almost 
every  description  of  persons.  To  the  strength  of  the  social 
principle  of  our  nature,  which  he  possessed  in  a  large  measure, 
and  which  made  the  kindness,  and  tenderness,  and  sympathy, 
which  it  was  his  lot  to  experience,  in  union  with  strong  religious 
affections,  to  produce  so  much  tranquillity  and  cheerfulness, 
may  be  ascribed,  in  part  at  least,  his  great  longevity,  and  the 
unimpaired  vigor  of  most  of  his  faculties.  Like  the  peaceful 
surface  of  the  lake,  when  the  evening  rays  of  a  summer  sun 
repose  upon  its  quiet  bosom,  his  mind  was  resting  in  sweet 
tranquillity  on  the  covenant  of  God,  and  in  the  enjoyment  of 
the  cheering  beams  of  the  Sun  of  righteousness ;  and  no  ex- 
ternal event  could  destroy  its  composure,  because  he  felt  and 
acted  on  the  principle,  that  the  whole  plan  of  Providence, 
and  every  part  of  it,  was,  as  he  frequently  said,  infinitely 
desirable.  As  his  was  not  a  religion  of  sudden  impulses,  but 
of  calm,  deep,  and  uniform  steadiness  of  action  and  of  feeling, 
so  there  was  nothing  in  it  gloomy,  forbidding,  or  unkind. 
The  uniform  smile  of  friendship  which  abode  upon  his  coun- 
tenance— the  solemn  air  with  which  he  reproved  sin,  even  in 
his  dearest  friends — and  the  kind  and  cordial  greeting  with 


THE    REV.    JOSEPH    PATTERSON.  405 

"wliich  he  met  those  he  loved,  were  all  the  sincere  and  simple 
utterances  of  a  heart  that  knew  no  disguise,  and  suppressed 
no  generous  emotion.  As  he  seemed  uniformly  to  possess  an 
assured  evidence  of  his  union  to  Christ,  and  as,  wherever  he 
went,  he  saw  those  who  respected  and  loved  him,  it  was  no 
labor,  but  his  element,  to  glorify  his  Redeemer,  by  promoting 
the  welfare  of  mankind.  Thus,  deriving  enjoyment  from  all 
his  engagements — blessed  in  all  his  domestic  relations,  and 
keeping  himself  acquainted  with  the  state  of  the  world,  to 
be  cheered  by  the  prospects  of  Zion,  he  appeared,  for  years 
past,  to  move  among  us  as  the  happiest  person  in  society. 
One  reason  for  this  doubtless  was,  that  he  was  accustomed 
through  life  to  gather  the  materials  of  gratitude  and  praise  ; 
from  a  constant  reference  to  the  blessings  he  enjoyed.  -- — 1 

"  Thus,  when  on  his  tour  among  the  Indians,  he  writes  in 
his  journal :  '  I  now  felt  myself  beyond  the  verge  of  the  Chris- 
tian world,  the  precious  privileges  of  which  appeared  great 
beyond  all  calculation.  I  would  not  have  been  without  this 
salutary,  solemn  opportunity,  for  all  the  difRoulties  of  my 
journey,  and  all  the  disagreeable  prospects  before  me.'  On 
meeting  with  some  white  persons  who  had  been  early  taken 
off  by  the  Indians,  and,  banished  from  the  Christian  world, 
had  become  heathens,  he  exclaims :  *  0,  why  was  not  this  the 
lot  of  my  children,  who  were  brought  up  on  a  dangerous  fron- 
tier !  While  others  were  taken  within  a  few  miles,  they  were 
left.  Bless  the  Lord,  0  my  soul !'  His  letters  also  abound 
much  in  exhortations  to  his  friends,  not  to  indulge  in  de- 
sponding fears  and  mistrusts  of  Providence,  but  consider  more 
what  they  already  have  —  what  they  deserve,  and  learn  to 
think  well  of  Christ,  and  freely  trust  him  for  what  they  need. 
Here  was  the  secret  of  his  contentment  and  his  happiness ; 
and  how  much  does  the  Lord  of  grace  and  providence  delight 
to  honor  such  a  spirit  of  meek  and  affectionate  acquiescence 
in  all  his  dispensations.  ^ 

"  5.  The  instructive  character  of  this  departed  man  of 
God,  illustrates  the  importance  of  a  strict  and  conscientious 


/ 
406  A   BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH    OF 

attention  to  all  the  duties  of  religion,  as  they  bear  upon  the 
powerful  influence  of  example.  When  men  are  esteemed  and 
venerated  for  their  general  uprightness,  their  smallest  omis- 
sions, as  well  as  their  errors,  do  injury.  While,  in  the  present 
instance,  no  man's  example  could  have  been  looked  upon  with 
more  universal  respect — none,  in  its  main  features,  could  have 
been  expected  to  be  more  exactly  and  truly  drawn.  During 
upwards  of  twelve  years,  in  which  the  writer  has  intimately 
observed  his  ^manner  of  life,'  in  respect  to  the  Sabbath  and 
the  sanctuary,  he  has  often  been  surprised  at  the  uniformity 
and  constancy,  at  all  seasons  and  in  all  weathers,  with  which 
this  aged  father  in  Israel  has  occupied  his  seat  in  the  house 
of  God  —  the  manifest  glow  of  holy  feeling  with  which  he 
came,  and  the  simplicity  and  affection  with  which  he  heard 
'  the  Word,'  from  the  lips  of  his  younger  and  less  experienced 
brethren. 

"  To  behold  one  who,  if  any,  might  have  made  his  own  do- 
mestic meditations  to  have  supplied  the  place  of  the  ablest 
preaching,  on  the  verge  of  fourscore  years,  thus  statedly 
coming  up  to  the  house  of  prayer,  when  hundreds  of  the  young 
and  healthful  would  consider  an  unpleasant  day,  or  a  slight 
indisposition,  as  a  sufficient  excuse  for  neglect,  was  truly 
instructive. 

"It  was  delightful  to  see,  also,  when  he  listened  to  the 
ministrations  of  strangers,  and  particularly  young  men,  and 
saw  in  the  spirit,  fervor,  and  evangelical  character  of  their 
performances  what  he  approved,  with  what  affection  he  would 
greet  them,  and  interest  himself  in  their  welfare,  and  with 
a  judicious  precaution,  simply  say,  by  way  of  encouragement, 
'  I  am  willing  to  license  you  to  be  a  preacher  of  the  glorious 
gospel  of  Christ.'  When  he  saw  defects  in  matter,  or  faults 
in  manner,  which  he  was  apprehensive  might  be  injurious,  he 
would  be  seen  kindly  taking  his  young  brother  aside,  to  men- 
tion them  in  private ;  and  it  was  always  done  in  a  way  to 
secure  increased  respect  and  affection  for  him.  As  in  his 
attention  to  public  worship,  so  in  all  other  things,  he  was  a 


THE    REV.    JOSEPH    PATTERSON.  40T 

strict  observer  of  the  Sabbath,  and  all  the  Sabbath ;  rising 
earlier  on  that  than  other  Jays,  and  truly  making  it  a  season 
of  rest  and  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  When 
meetings  for  social  prayer  were  held  at  the  rising  of  the  sun, 
on  these  and  other  days,  he  was  among  the  earliest  to  resort 
to  these  places  of  supplication. 

We  might  also  speak  of  his  exemplary  character  in  all 
the  relations  of  husband,  father,  friend,  and  pastor  —  of  his 
singular  conscientiousness — his  Christian  hospitality  at  home, 
in  which  he  greatly  excelled,  and  his  habitually  profitable 
conversation  abroad — of  his  soundness  in  the  faith — his  con- 
scientious adherence  to  the  standards  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  —  his  deep-felt  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  church, 
and  the  intense  feeling  with  which  he  looked  forward  from 
the  borders  of  the  tomb  upon  the  promised  spread  and  coming 
glory  of  Messiah's  kingdom  on  earth  —  but  time  will  not 
allow  us  to  dwell  upon  these  and  other  subjects  which  be- 
long to  the  character  and  history  of  this  eminent  disciple  of 
Christ.  S." 

The  following  anecdotes,  some  of  which  we  have  derived, 
in  whole  or  in  part,  from  the  "Patterson  Family  Record,"  by 
William  Ewing  Dubois,  Esq.,  and  others  we  have  gathered 
from  various  authentic  sources,  will  serve  to  illustrate  the 
character  of  Mr.  Patterson,  and  will,  perhaps,  be  read  by 
many  with  interest.  We  would  premise  that  the  list  might 
be  enlarged  to  fill  a  volume.     We  select  some  of  the  best : — 

"  Some  time  after  his  removal  to  the  West,  he  and  some 
others  made  a  purchase  of  land  and  paid  the  money.  It  was 
soon  discovered  that  the  seller  was  not  the  owner,  and  conse- 
quently, that  the  title  was  worthless  and  the  money  lost. 
How  much  Mr.  Patterson's  investment  amounted  to  is  not 
known,  nor  is  it  material  to  the  story ;  only  that  it  was  a 
greater  loss  than  he  could  well  bear.  The  other  purchasers 
had  recourse  to  law,  and  advised  him  also  to  'employ  counsel.' 
*  I  have  heard  in  the  Bible  of  a  Wonderful  Counsellor,'  was 


<: 


408  A   BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH    OF 

the  quaint  reply,  'and  my  application  shall  be  to  him.'  He 
thereupon  made  it  a  matter  of  repeated  and  earnest  prayer ; 
not,  we  presume,  for  a  specific  restitution  of  the  money; 
which  no  intelligent  Christian  could  do,  in  absolute  terms,  but 
that  by  some  Providential  interposition,  this  serious  loss  might 
be  made  up  to  him,  or  that  he  might  be  duly  reconciled  to  it, 
and  eventually  none  the  worse  for  it.  The  prospect  of  a  spe- 
cific answer  was  small ;  for  M'Clure,  the  man  who  obtained 
the  money,  had  absconded,  both  from  the  neighborhood  and 
from  his  family.  But  as  Mr.  Patterson  was  passing  near 
M'Clure's  house,  not  long  after,  a  child,  running  up  to  him, 
begged  him  to  come  in.  As  he  did  so,  the  wife  handed  him 
the  identical  bag,  with  the  identical  dollars,  and  explained  to 
him  the  strange  action  in  such  words  as  these :  '  When  my 
husband  went  away,  he  charged  me  to  give  this  money  back 
to  you ;  for,  said  he,  I  am  afraid  the  man  will  pray  me  to 
death  if  I  don't  return  him  his  money.'  Thus  his  suit  was 
gained;  the  others,  it  is  said,  never  got  anything." 

Another  incident,  more  minute,  and  therefore  more  to  the 
point,  we  take  from  one  of  his  letters.  The  poor  student  of 
divinity,  whose  course  of  study  must  have  lessened  his  ability 
to  provide  a  living,  regarded  with  mortification  the  napless, 
worn-out  hat,  not  fit  to  appear  in  at  Presbytgry.  But  if  it 
was  of  sufficient  importance  to  give  him  concern,  he  held  that 
it  was  a  fit  subject  for  prayer ;  and  so  he  writes  to  his  absent 
wife  as  follows : — 

"  In  retirement  for  special  prayer  yesterday,  the  Lord  let 
me  talk  familiarly  with  him  about  many  things ;  particularly 
about  a  hat ;  and  he  made  me  willing  to  go  to  Presbytery 
with  my  old  one.  I  came  away  with  a  pleasant  hope,  and 
well  pleased  with  all  his  government ;  and  this  day  there  was 
one  bought  for  a  guinea  and  sent  to  me,  a  present  by  A.  S." 
■^  The  distribution  of  the  Bible  along  the  landings  of  Pitts- 
burg was  of  course  attended  with  some  expense ;  and  as  his 
own  means  were  always  moderate,  he  was  obliged  to  make 
collections  to  defray  the  charges.     In  such  a  cause,  he  felt 


THE   REV.    JOSEPH    PATTERSON.  409 

as  if  he  had  a  cLiira  upon  any  citizen  ^vho  had  a  spare  dollar. 
In  one  of  these  collecting  rounds,  he  was  met  by  an  acc^uaint- 
ance.  "  Well,  Father  Patterson,  what  errand  are  you  on 
to-day  ?" — "  I  am  going  to  the  man  that  keeps  store  over  there, 
to  get  a  dollar  for  my  Bible  distribution." — -"Why  certainly 
you  will  not  go  to  such  a  man  as  that — an  open  infidel  and  a 
scoffer.  You  will  not  get  a  cent  from  him."  —  "  Yes  I  will ; 
I  '11  get  a  dollar.  Come  and  see."  They  walked  into  the 
store.  The  old  gentleman  was  not  welcome  from  the  first ; 
but  upon  opening  his  request,  he  was  treated  with  positive 
scorn.  The  indignant  man  behind  the  counter  would  give 
nothing  for  any  such  purpose.  "  Do  you  say  you  wont  ?" — "I 
say  I  won't." — ''  Well,  I'll  go  home  with  my  subscription-book, 
and  lay  it  before  the  Lord,  and  tell  him  that  Mr. abso- 
lutely refused  to  give  anything  towards  the  distribution  of  the 
Bible."  There  was  a  solemnity  and  reality  in  this  rejoinder 
which  seemed  to  frighten  the  man,  unbeliever  as  he  was. 
Opening  the  money-drawer,  he  threw  out  a  piece,  saying,  with 
a  subdued  voice,  ''  Here,  take  your  dollar." 

His  prudence  in  his  mode  of  reproving  sin  was  a  promi- 
nent feature.  At  a  house-raising,  a  man,  somewhat  intoxi- 
cated and  very  profane,  said  he  would  inflict  personal  insult 
on  old  Patterson  if  he  attempted  to  rebuke  him.  Mr.  Pat- 
terson, who  was  not  aware  of  his  threat,  took  the  man  aside 
upon  his  giving  fresh  vent  to  his  profanity,  and  affectionately 
remonstrated  with  him,  and  begged  him  to  desist  from  swear- 
ing. The  swearer  was  completely  disarmed,  and  was  melted 
down.  lie  afterwards  became,  as  Mr.  Patterson  testified,  one 
of  the  most  pious  members  of  his  congregation. 

He  was  once  saluted,  as  he  descended  from  the  pulpit,  by 
a  gentleman  of  his  own  name,  after  this  manner :  "  Mr.  Pat- 
terson, you  and  I  must  be  relations ;  for  all  my  ancestors  by 
the  Patterson  side  were  naturally  a  religious  people." — "We 
can't  be  at  all  related,  then,"  said  Mr.  Patterson,  "  for  my 
ancestors  were  all  naturally  an  irreligious  race." 

A  man  who  expressed  to  Mr.  Patterson  his  dissatisfaction 


410  THE    REV.    JOSEPH    PATTERSON. 

with  the  view  which  had  been  given  of  the  utter  helplessness 
of  the  sinner  in  his  unconverted  state,  being  asked  if  he 
thought  he  could  get  religion  whenever  he  pleased,  expressed 
no  doubt  of  it.  Upon  which,  Mr.  Patterson,  after  endeavor- 
ing to  show  him  his  dreadful  guilt  in  neglecting  or  deferring 
that  all-important  matter,  begged  him,  as  a  special  favor,  that 
he  would  set  about  the  matter  at  once  in  his  own  way.  He 
promised  he  would.  Not  long  after,  he  came  to  Mr.  Patter- 
son in  great  distress  and  despondency,  related  the  result  of 
his  promised  efforts,  and  expressed  the  conviction  that  it  was 
all  over  with  him ;  that  he  was  absolutely  lost,  and  that  he 
was  now  satisfied  his  case  was  hopeless.  Mr.  Patterson  told 
him  that  he  anticipated  just  such  a  result  of  his  own  efforts 
to  get  religion,  and  proceeded  to  lay  open  to  the  self-despair- 
ing sinner  God's  plan  of  saving  sinners,  and  was  instrumental 
in  leading  him  to  the  footstool  of  sovereign  grace.  He  soon 
became  a  joyful  believer,  and  thenceforward  a  devoted,  con- 
sistent professor  of  religion. 

On  Friday,  before  he  died,  he  took  the  final  sitting  for 
his  portrait.  The  artist  had  been  expressing  his  purpose  to 
visit  the  celebrated  Sully,  the  great  American  painter,  with 
a  view  to  receive  instructions  for  his  own  improvement.  As 
Mr.  Patterson  rose  from  the  chair,  after  looking  for  a  while 
at  his  own  picture,  he  turned  to  the  artist,  and  taking  him  by 
the  hand,  he  said  to  him,  with  great  solemnity  and  afiection, 
^'  I  can  recommend  to  you  another  great  painter.  Do  you  get 
the  Holy  Ghost  to  draw  the  image  of  Christ  upon  your  heart, 
and  it  will  last  for  ever.  And  he  will  charge  you  nothing  for 
it !"  The  painter,  who  was  of  infidel  sentiments,  probably 
despised  the  counsel,  and  might  soon  have  forgotten  it,  but 
from  his  hearing,  a  few  days  after,  to  his  great  surprise,  of 
Mr.  Patterson's  death.  He  then  related  this  remark  of  Mr. 
Patterson.  He  subsequently  abandoned  his  infidel  senti- 
ments, and  made  a  profession  of  religion. 

A  pious  man,  overtaking  Mr.  Patterson  on  his  way  to  the 
church,  when  they  were  both  compelled,  from  the  icy  state 


HISTORY    OF    SHORT    CREEK    CONGREGATION.  411 

of  the  sidewalks,  to  take  the  middle  of  the  street,  asked  Mr. 
Patterson  to  explain  the  passage  "  The  path  of  the  just  is  as 
the  shining  light,"  &c. ;  perhaps  suggested  by  the  state  of 
their  walking.  Mr.  Patterson  proceeded  to  give  his  views, 
which  occupied  him  till  they  reached  the  door  of  the  church, 
lie  was  only  a  hearer  himself  that  day  ;  but  he  was  requested 
to  preach  the  following  Sabbath,  probably  in  the  absence  of 
the  pastor.  And  he  did  preach,  and  from  those  words  above 
stated,  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  his  friend  and  many  others. 
It  was  his  last  sermon — but  a  few  weeks  before  he  died.  And 
he  himself  was  a  bright  illustration  of  the  truth  of  the  text  I 

TWENTY-EIGHTH   MEETING. 

SHORT  CREEK,  (40)  Tuesday,  April  20th,  1790.— Pres- 
bytery met,  &c.  The  Presbytery  was  opened  with  the  lecture 

(40)  Short  Creek. — This  congregation,  which  received  its  name  from 
the  creek  which  passed  through  a  part  of  its  territory,  extended  origi- 
nally, like  all  the  early  churches,  over  a  considerable  space  of  country. 
It  seems  to  have  been  gathered  some  years  before,  and  was  early  one 
of  the  places  to  which  supplies  were  sent.  It  was  partly  included  in 
the  wide,  indefinite  field  of  Mr.  Smith's  labors.  In  the  bounds  of  this 
congregation  the  seat  of  justice  was  fixed,  in  1776  —  at  Black's  Cabin, 
on  the  waters  of  Short  Creek.  On  Monday,  January  IGth,  1777,  the 
first  Court  for  the  County  of  Ohio  was  held  at  this  place.  "  There  is 
every  reason  to  believe  that  this  was  the  first  civil  Court  held  in  the 
Valley  of  the  Mississippi.''  On  the  7th  day  of  April,  the  Court  or- 
dered a  court-house  and  jail  to  be  erected.  The  first  attorneys  admitted 
to  practice  in  the  Court  were  Philip  Pendleton  and  George  Brent,  on 
the  2d  of  November,  1778.  Mr.  Pendleton  was  appointed  Common- 
wealth's attorney. 

West  Liberty,  in  Ohio  County,  (which  afterwards  became  the  name 
of  the  congregation.)  was  incorporated  November  29th,  178G.  The  Or- 
der Book  of  Ohio  County  Court  contains  the  following  entry,  under  date 
of  June  Gth,  1780: 

"Ordered,  that  the  ordinary  keepers  in  this  County  sell  at  the  follow- 
ing rates— for  half  pint  of  whiskey,  $G ;  breakfast  or  supper,  $4 ;  din- 
ner, $G ,  lodging,  with  clean  sheets,  $3 ;  one  horse  to  lay  over  night, 
$3;  one  gallon  of  corn,  $5  ;  one  gallon  of  oats,  $4:  half  pint  of  whis- 
key, with  sugar,  $8 ;  a  quart  of  beer,  $4.     October  2d,  1780,  the  Court 


412  ACTION    OF    PRESBYTERY   ABOUT    MR.    BARR. 

and  sermon  of  Mr.  Marshall  —  previously  assigned  —  which 
were  sustained.  Three  calls  to  Mr.  Samuel  Porter  —  from 
Dunlap's  Creek  and  George's  Creek,  and  from  Poke  Run 
and  Congruity,  and  from  Long  Run  and  Sewicklj  —  all  put 
into  his  hands  for  consideration. 

Mr.  M'Pherrin  declared  his  acceptance  of  the  call,  from 
Unity  and  Salem  congregations ;  and  Mr.  Porter  also,  from 
Poke  Run  and  Congruity  —  returning  the  other  calls  —  upon 
which  the  Committee  from  those  congregations  applied  for 
supplies.  A  call  for  Mr.  R.  Finley  —  from  Mill's  Creek  and 
King's  Creek  —  ordered  to  be  forwarded  to  him,  and  his 
answer  required  as  soon  as  possible.  Mr.  James  Hughes  or- 
dained. Presbytery  "  did,  by  fasting  and  prayer,  and  with 
the  imposition  of  hands,  set  him  apart  to  the  holy  office  of  the 
gospel  ministry."  Mr.  Smith  preached  on  the  occasion,  on 
John  iv.  36 ;  and  Mr.  M'Millan  presided,  and  gave  the 
charge.     Mr.  Hughes  now  takes  his  seat  as  a  member. 

Mr.  Barr  appeared  before  Presbytery,  and  produced  an 
attested  copy  of  the  judgment  of  the  Committee  of  Synod, 
whereby  it  appears  that  he  is  restored  to  the  exercise  of  his 
ministerial  office,  and  made  an  application  for  a  dismission 
from  this  Presbytery,  in  order  to  join  that  of  New  Castle. 
The  Presbytery,  after  deliberating  on  the  matter,  cannot  see 
their  way  clear  for  giving  him  a  dismission  at  this  time.  1. 
Because  they  are  not  yet  satisfied  that  all  the  charges  which 
were  proved  against  him,  before  this  Presbytery,  have  been 
disproved.     2.  Because  there  is  a  complaint  lodged  against 

increased  the  price  of  strong  heer  to  $6  per  quart.  March  6th,  1781 
dinners  rated  at  $20,  and  breakfast  and  supper  at  $15.  June  4th,  1781, 
vrhiskey  was  ordered  to  be  sold  at  $8  50  per  pint.  All  this  was,  of 
course,  in  continental  money. — American  Pioneer,  vol.  2,  p.  378. 

The  Rev.  James  Hughes,  their  first  pastor,  labored  here  with  great 
usefulness  and  success,  till  June  29th,  1814.  The  congregation  re- 
mained vacant  till  1828,  when  the  Rev.  William  Wylie  became  stated 
supply.  The  Rev.  J.  W.  M'Kenna,  December  9th,  1829,  was  ordained 
and  installed  the  pastor.  The  Rev.  N.  Shotwell  is  the  present  pastor. 
Communicants,  70. 


MR.    BIUCE    ORDAINED.  413 

liim  for  disorderly  conduct,  by  three  of  the  Sessions  of  Pitts- 
burg congregation,  -which  has  not  yet  been  examined  into.  3. 
Because  we  have  good  reason  to  believe  that  he  continued  to 
preach  while  under  suspension,  and  before  the  Committee  re- 
versed the  judgment. 

John  Barret  asked  for  a  reconsideration  of  his  case,  at  next 
meeting,  (a  reference  formerly  brought  in,  from  Session  of 
Pittsburg  congregation,  in  which  he  is  concerned.)  It  was 
granted,  and  Mr.  Clark  ordered  to  furnish  him  with  such 
papers  as  he  shall  think  necessary  for  th6  trial  and  citation 
of  witnesses. 

Mr.  Porter  to  prepare  a  discourse  on  Ephesians  vi.  17 ; 
and  Mr.  M'Pherrin,  on  Psalms  Ixxi.  16  —  by  our  next  meet- 
ing, preparatory  to  ordination.  Adjourned  to  meet  at  Three 
Eidges,  at  1  o'clock  P.  M.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

TWENTY-EIGHTH   MEETING. 

THREE  EIDGES,  1  o'clock,  P.  M.— Presbytery  met, 
kc.  The  Presbytery  proceeded  to  ordain  Mr.  John  Brice, 
and  "did,  by  fasting  and  prayer,"  &c.  Mr.  Dod  preached, 
on  the  occasion,  from  Galatians  vii.  10.  Mr.  M'Millan  pre- 
sided, and  Mr.  James  Finley  gave  the  charge.  Mr.  B.  now 
takes  his  seat,  &c. 

The  Presbytery  find  that  the  order  of  the  Synod  for  raising 
contributions  for  the  support  of  missionaries  to  vacant  con- 
gregations, has  been,  in  part,  attended  to,  and  order  that 
those  who  have  not  complied  with  it,  do  it,  and  pay  the  money 
raised  to  Mr.  M'Millan,  who  is  appointed  Treasurer,  and  re- 
port the  same  at  our  next  meeting. 

Mr.  Power  and  John  "Wright  to  attend  next  General  As- 
sembly, as  Commissioners  from  this  Presbytery. 

Presbytery  agree  that  Mr.  M'  Pherrin  and  Mr.  Porter  be 
ordained — next  meeting — if  way  clear.  Mr.  Dunlap  to  preach 
the  ordination  sermon — Mr.  Dunlap  to  preside,  and  give  the 
charge. 


414  A    BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH    OF   THE 

The  Presbytery  give  leave  to  Pittsburg  congregation  to  ap- 
ply to  any  other  Presbytery,  within  the  bounds  of  our  church, 
for  supplies. 

Messrs.  John  Hanna  and  George  Hill  (41)  appeared  before 
Presbytery,  &:c.  (see  the  usual  form,  ante.)  They  were  taken 
under  the  care  of  Presbytery  —  provided  Mr.  Hill  give  fuller 
satisfaction  with  regard  to  the  subjects  on  which  he  has  been 
conversed  with  —  examined  on  Latin  and  Greek  languages, 
and  Mr.  Hanna  and  Mr.  Marshall  on  Hebrew — all  sustained. 
Mr.  Hill  —  an  Exdgesis  —  "Quid  est  discrimen  inter  foedera 
grati^e  et  operum  ?"  Mr.  Hanna  —  ditto  —  ''  In  quo  constat 
essentia  fidei  salvivicoa?"  —  both  by  our  next  meeting. 

"  The  Presbytery  having  received  sufficient  testimonials," 
&c.,  (see  form  of  license,)  Mr.  Robert  Marshall  was  licensed. 

The  Presbytery  finding  that  the  congregation  of  Buffalo 
have  paid  but  a  small  part  of  their  salary  to  Mr.  Hughes,  for 
the  last  year  —  order  that  notice  be  given  that  unless  they 
pay  up  this  salary  before  next  meeting,  Mr.  H.  will  be  under 
the  necessity  of  removing  from  them.  Adjourned  to  meet 
on  third  Tuesday  of  September,  at  James  M'Kee's,  in  Con- 
gruity  congregation.     Concluded  with  prayer.  ^ 

(41)  A  Biographical  Sketch  of  the  Rev.  George 
Hill.  —  The  Rev.  George  Hill  was  born  in  York  County, 
Pennsylvania,  March  loth,  1764.  When  about  nineteen  years 
of  age,  he  removed,  with  his  father  and  family,  to  Fayette 
County,  and  settled  within  the  borders  of  the  congregation  of 
.  George's  Creek.  His  literary  studies  were  prosecuted  chiefly, 
if  not  entirely,  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev.  James  Dunlap, 
pastor  of  Laurel  Hill  and  Dunlap's  Creek  congregations.  It 
is  affirmed  by  some  aged  persons  yet  living,  that  he  studied 
theology  under  the  Rev.  Jacob  Jennings,  which  is,  probably, 
correct.*     He  entered  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone,  as  a  can- 

*  It  will  be  seen,  by  the  minutes,  that  the  Rev.  Jacob  Jennings  sat 
as  a  corresponding  member  of  Presbytery,  in  December,  1791,  when 


THE    REV.    GEORGE    HILL.  415 

didate  for  the  ministry,  April  23d,  1700,  and  was  licensed 
December  22d,  1791,  at  the  cliurch  of  Bethel,  in  Indiana 
County,  where  the  Rev.  Joseph  W.  Henderson  was  afterwards 
settled. 

At  the  next  spring  meeting  of  the  Presbytery,  calls  were 
presented  for  his  pastoral  labors  from  the  united  congrega- 
tions of  Fairfield,  Donegal  and  Wheatfield,  and  from  Mill 
Creek  and  King's  Creek.  The  former  he  accepted,  and  was 
ordained  and  installed  their  pastor  on  the  13th  of  November, 
1792.  On  the  11th  of  April,  1798,  he  resigned  his  charge 
of  Wheatfield ;  and  a  new  congregation,  called  Legonier, 
having  been  formed  between  Donegal  and  Fairfield,  he  con- 
tinued to  labor  in  these  three  last  named  churches  until  the 
time  of  his  death,  which  took  place  June  9th,  1822. 

Mr.  Hill  is  reported  to  have  been  a  faithful  and  laborious 
pastor,  and  to  have  exposed  himself  frequently  to  considerable 
danger  in  fulfilling  his  engagements  on  the  Sabbath.  Having 
to  cross  the  Conemaugh,  in  going  to  one  of  his  places  of 
iDreaching,  he  has  been  known,  in  times  of  high  water,  to  swim 
the  river  on  horseback,  preach  in  his  wet  clothes,  recross  the 
river,  and  return  to  his  own  house — a  distance  of  ten  miles — 
the  same  day.  Such,  however,  was  the  vigor  of  his  constitu- 
tion, that  he  suffered  no  injury  from  it.  He  was  a  man  of 
great  sensibility,  exceedingly  modest  and  humble  in  his  de- 
portment. When  duty  required,  however,  that  he  should  take 
decided  ground,  and  appear  in  the  defence  of  the  truth,  he 
showed  himself  to  be  equal  to  the  crisis,  and  displayed  much 
firmness  of  character,  as  well  as  acuteness  of  intellect. 

Although,  during  most  of  his  life,  he  had  enjoyed  excellent 
health,  in  his  last  illness  he  suffered  much.  But  in  this  ex- 
tremity, his  Christian  principles  did  not  forsake  him.  To 
those  around  him  he  said,  "  I  have  learned,  whatever  is  my 
Heavenly    Father's   will,    therewith   to    be    content."     And 

Mr.  Hill  was  licensed ;  and  that  he  (Jennings)  had  not  been  in  the 
bounds  of  the  Presbytery  long  before.  The  above  supposition  seems, 
therefore,  to  be  a  mistake. 


416  MESSRS.    M^PHERRIN   AND    PORTER    ORDAINED. 

almost  tlie  last  words  which  he  spoke  were,  "  I  know  In 
whom  I  have  believed."  *  The  Rev.  George  Hill,  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Blairsville,  is  his  grandson. — Ap.  Life  of  Ma- 
curdy,  p.  257. 

'  TWENTY-NINTH   MEETING. 

Tuesday,  21st  of  September,  1790. — The  Presbytery  met 
at  James  M'Kee's,  &c.  Discourses — appointed  Messrs.  Por- 
ter and  MTherrin  —  sustained. 

Presbytery  find  their  order  for  raising  funds  for  missionary 
purposes,  in  part,  complied  with,  and  that  the  sum  received 
is  <£22  14s.  3c?.  Ordered,  that  those  who  have  not  contributed, 
do  it  as  soon  as  convenient. 

Rev.  David  Bard,  lately  a  member  of  Carlisle  Presbytery, 
being  present  and  invited,  sits  as  a  correspondent.  The  Pres- 
bytery proceeded  to  ordain  Messrs.  M'Pherrin  and  Porter, 
and  "  did,  by  fasting  and  prayer,  and  with  the  imposition  of 
the  hands  of  the  Presbytery,"  &c.  Mr.  Dunlap  preached,  on 
the  occasion,  from  Romans  i.  16.  Mr.  M'Millan  presided, 
and  Mr.  J.  Finley  gave  the  charge.  Mr.  M'Pherrin  and  Mr. 
Porter  now  take  their  seats  as  members. 

The  congregations  of  Pittsburg  and  Pittstownship  request 
the  Presbytery  to  grant  them  such  supplies  as  they  can,  and 
to  use  their  best  endeavors,  at  the  next  meeting  of  Synod,  to 
procure  them  such  supplies  as  they  shall  find  convenient. 

Mr.  Hughes  is  ordered,  by  Presbytery,  to  inform  the  con- 
gregation of  Buffalo  that  a  compliance  with  the  order  of  Pres- 
bytery, respecting  a  settlement,  will  be  expected  by  the  next 
meeting  of  Presbytery.  Adjourned  to  meet  at  Roundhill, 
third  Tuesday  of  October.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

*  He  requested  that  the  Eev.  William  Wylie,  D.D.,  should  be  sent 
for,  to  preach  at  his  funeral ;  and  suggested  that  the  text  should  he 
Jeremiah  xlix.  11,  "  Leave  thy  fatherless  children  —  I  will  preserve 
them  alive :  and  let  thy  widows  trust  in  me."  Dr.  Wylie  accordingly 
attended  and  preached,  and  has  testified  to  us,  that  it  was  one  of  the 
most  solemn  and  affecting  days  he  ever  witnessed  or  spent. 


MR.  bark's  case.  417 

WINCHESTER,  September  30th,  1790.— The  Presbytery 
met  pro  re  nata.  Ubi  post  preces  sederunt,  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
Joseph  Smith,  John  M'Millan,  Thaddeus  Dod,  Robert  Fin- 
ley,  Joseph  Patterson,  John  M'Pherrin,  Samuel  Porter,  and 
Samuel  Barr. 

The  Synod  having  accepted  the  report  of  the  Committee 
which  met  at  Pitsburg,  \yhereby  it  appears  that  Mr.  Barr  is 
restored  to  the  full  exercise  of  his  ministry  —  and  Mr.  Barr 
having  produced  sufficient  evidence  to  clear  himself  of  the 
charge  of  disorderly  conduct,  exhibited  against  him  by  some 
members  of  the  Session  of  Pittsburg,  now  makes  application 
for  a  dismission  from  this  Presbytery,  in  order  to  join  the 
Presbytery  of  New  Castle ;  which  was  accordingly  granted, 
and  the  Clerk  is  ordered  to  furnish  him  with  suitable  testi- 
monials. 

The  Commissioners  of  Synod  having  represented  to  us  that 
they  had  chosen  Mr.  R.  Marshall  as  a  missionary,  provided 
the  Presbytery  would  recommend  him  —  the  Presbytery  con- 
curred therewith,  and  gave  him  such  recommendations  as 
were  necessary.  Adjourned  to  meet  at  time  and  place  before 
appointed.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

THIRTIETH   MEETING. 

ROUNDIIILL,  Tuesday,  19th  October,  1790.— The  Pres- 
bytery met,  &c.  The  Presbytery  ordered  a  sermon  from  II. 
Cor.  vi.  2,  by  Mr.  R.  Finley. 

The  Presbytery  continued  their  order  to  raise  contributions 
for  the  support  of  missionaries  under  the  care  of  the  Synod 
of  Virginia. 

The  congregation  of  Lower  Buffalo  not  having  complied 
with  the  requisition  of  Presbytery,  respecting  salary  —  the 
Presbytery  recommended  to  the  congregations  of  Short  Creek 
and  Lower  Buffalo  to  alter  their  first  plan,  and  enjoy  Mr. 
Hughes'  labors  according  to  their  strength. 
27 


418  MR.    JOHN    BARNET'S    CASE. 

The  Presbytery  proceeded  to  consider  tlie  reference  re- 
specting John  Barnet,  from  Session  of  Lebanon  congrega- 
tion ;  and  having  read  the  minutes  of  the  Session  relative 
thereto,  and  heard  all  that  was  further  offered  by  the  parties, 
acrreed   to   defer  the  final   determination    thereof  until  to- 

o 

morrow. 

The  Presbytery  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  re- 
ference respecting  John  Barnet,  and  after  mature  delibera- 
tion, came  to  the  following  determination,  viz. :  That  although 
the  oath  of  Jane  Miller  appears  to  lay  a  ground  of  much  sus- 
picion of  immodest  conduct  and  language  in  John  Barnet  — 
yet,  as  there  are  no  circumstances  to  corroborate  her  evidence, 
and  something  in  the  acquittance  she  gave,  that  seems,  in 
some  measure,  to  weaken  the  force  thereof — we  are  not  clear 
peremptorily  to  judge  him  guilty,  but  must  refer  the  matter 
to  the  judgment  of  the  great  day,  and  in  the  mean  time  ad- 
monish him  to  such  circumspection  in  his  conduct,  as  may 
tend  to  wipe  away  all  grounds  of  suspicion  respecting  him. 
Ordered,  that  this  judgment  be  publicly  read  in  the  congre- 
gation of  Lebanon. 

The  Presbytery  proceeded  to  converse  with  Mr.  Hill  on  the 
subjects  referred  to  in  the  minutes  of  our  last  spring  meeting, 
and  received  such  satisfaction  as  induced  them  to  take  him  on 
further  trials.  His  Exegesis  —  sustained.  Mr.  Hanna  not 
sufficiently  prepared  —  to  have  the  same  subject  for  an  Exe- 
gesis formerly  assigned  him,  and  a  Homily  on  Romans  vii. 
9  —  by  our  next  meeting.  Adjourned  to  meet  at  Rehoboth, 
last  Tuesday  of  December.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

THIRTY-FIRST   MEETING. 

REHOBOTH,  December  28th,  1790.— Presbytery  met, 
&c.  The  Presbytery  ordered  a  sermon  from  John  vii.  37  — 
by  Mr.  Porter.  Mr.  Hanna  —  Exegesis  and  Homily  —  read 
—  not  determined  concerning  them  till  further  examination 
on  Divinity.     Mr.  Hill  a  Homily  —  sustained. 


SOME    ACCOUNT    OF    MR.    IIANNA.  419 

Presbytery  examined  Mr.  Ilanna,  at  some  length,  on  Di- 
vinity ;  and  after  maturely  deliberating  on  tlie  matter,  and 
prayer  to  God  for  direction,  from  all  the  light  which  they 
could  obtain,  notwithstanding  they  felt  tenderly  for  Mr. 
Ilanna,  (42)  and  could  not  but  entertain  favorable  hopes  of 
his  piety  —  yet,  taking  into  consideration  his  natural  inca- 
pacity, his  small  acquaintance  with  Divinity,  after  so  long  a 
time  spent  in  study,  and  the  small  prospect  of  his  ever  taking 
that  pains  which  is  necessary,  in  order  to  obtain  a  competent 
acquaintance  with  it  —  the  Presbytery  were  unanimously  of 
opinion  that  it  was  not  their  duty  to  encourage  him  to  pro- 
ceed any  further  on  trials,  with  a  prospect  of  being  licensed 
to  preach  the  gospel.  Adjourned  to  meet  at  Dunlap's  Creek, 
third  Tuesday  of  April.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

(42)  Mr.  Hanna  having  been  thus  dismissed,  went  to  New  Jersey, 
and  united  himself  with  the  Morris  County  Presbytery  —  a  small,  inde- 
pendent body,  the  memory  of  which  is  principally  preserved  by  the  fact 
that  the  father  of  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Ashbel  Green  was  a  leading  man  in 
that  connection.  Mr.  Ilanna  was  by  them  licensed  and  ordained,  and 
is  said  to  have  labored  with  acceptance  and  usefulness  among  them  till 
his  death.  The  Morris  County  Presbyterians  resembled,  in  some  re- 
spects, the  modern  Cumberland  Presbyterians  —  in  their  laxity  as  to 
the  literary  and  theological  training  of  their  candidates  for  the  minis- 
try—  but  were  not,  we  believe,  semi-Armenians  in  their  theology. 
There  were  several  pious,  zealous,  and  useful  men  among  them. 
The  Rev.  Thaddeus  Dod,  who  was  personally  acquainted  with  some  of 
their  ministers,  and  many  of  their  people,  was  once  written  to  by  Mr. 
Bradford,  respecting  some  one  of  their  body  coming  out  to  labor  in  the 
West.  Mr.  Dod,  no  doubt  deprecating  the  introduction  of  that  sort  of 
Presbyterianism  into  this  region,  wrote  to  his  friend  a  statement  of  the 
character  of  the  AVestern  field —  stating  that  it  was  new  and  very  rough 
ground,  and  required  sturdy,  strong  oxen  to  break  it  up ;  and  that  he 
doubted  whether  two  years^  olds  would  suit  for  the  work.  This  seems 
to  have  put  an  end  to  any  further  thoughts  of  sending  their  missionaries 
into  this  quarter. 

Since  the  above  was  written,  we  have  learned,  from  the  Rev.  Dr. 
William  Wylie,  that  Mr.  Ilanna  died  a  most  peaceful,  happy  death,  at 
the  house  of  Mr.  Allen,  near  the  Ilorse-shoe-bottom  settlement,  Wash- 
ington County,  being  on  his  way  out,  on  a  visit  to  his  brother. 


420  MR.  m'gready  dismissed. 


THIRTY-SECOND   MEETING. 

DUNLAP'S  CREEK,  April  19th,  1791.— Presbytery  met, 
&c.  —  The  Presbytery  ordered  a  sermon  from  II.  Samuel 
xxiii.  5  —  by  Mr.  Power. 

Supplies  appointed  at  nearly  all  the  places  heretofore  men- 
tioned, and  all  the  ministers  two  Sabbaths  each — and  an  un- 
usual number  of  communions  appointed. 

Messrs.  Finley,  Dunlap,  Power  and  M'Pherrin,  or  any  two 
of  them  —  a  committee  for  examining  and  making  appoint- 
ments for  ministers  and  probationers  as  may  come  into  the 
bounds. 

Mr.  James  M'Gready  being  detained  by  sickness  in  the 
bounds  of  the  Orange  Presbytery,  applied  by  letter  for  a  dis- 
mission to  that  Presbytery.  The  Presbytery  ordered  the 
Clerk  to  send  him  a  dismission,  and  a  letter  of  advice  upon 
the  occasion. 

The  Presbytery  agreed  that  a  letter  respecting  the  affair  of 
Mr.  M'Gready's  dismission  be  sent  to  the  Moderator  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Orange. 

The  Presbytery  find,  upon  inquiry,  that  the  several  con- 
gregations are  satisfied  with  the  care  and  diligence  of  their 
respective  pastors. 

Mr.  William  Swan  (43)  "  having  offered  himself  to  be  taken 
under  the  care,"  &c.,  (the  usual  minute  in  such  cases,)  was 
taken  on  trial.  Mr.  Hill  and  Mr.  Swan  —  examined  at  some 
length,  on  Divinity  —  sustained.  Mr.  Hill  to  prepare  a 
Presbyterial  Exercise  on  John  xv.  5 — by  next  meeting.  Mr. 
Swan  an  Exegesis  on  "An  gratia  convertens  sit  irresistibilis  ?" 
—  and  an  Homily  on  Romans  vi.  23  —  by  next  meeting. 
Messrs.  James  Finley,  John  M'Millan  and  James  Dunlap  ap- 
pointed Commissioners  to  General  Assembly.  Adjourned  to 
meet  at  Chartiers,  the  last  Tuesday  of  June.  Concluded  with 
prayer. 


SKETCH    OF    MR.    SWAN.  421 

(43)  Bior.RAPHicAL  Sketch  of  the  Rev.  William 
Swan.  —  The  Rev.  William  Swan  was  a  native  of  Cumber- 
land, now  Franklin  County,  Pennsylvania  ;  and  was  educated 
at  Canonsburg  Academy.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  the 
gospel  by  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone  on  the  same  day  with 
the  Rev.  George  Hill,  Dec.  22d,  1791.  His  labors  were 
much  in  demand,  as  appears  from  the  fact  that  at  a  meeting 
of  his  Presbytery,  October  16th,  1792,  he  had  calls  presented 
to  him  from  the  congregations  of  Mingo  Creek  and  Horse- 
shoe Bottom,  Bethel  and  Ebenezer,  on  Blacklick,  Long  Run 
and  Sewickly,  and  King's  Creek  and  Mill  Creek.  The  call 
from  Long  Run  and  Sewickly  was  finally  accepted  at  a  meet- 
ing of  Presbytery  held  on  the  7th  of  April,  1793 ;  and  on 
the  16tli  of  October  following,  lie  was  ordained  and  installed 
pastor  of  these  united  congregations.  Here  he  labored  for  a 
period  of  twenty-five  years.  In  the  year  1804,  and  for  some 
years  afterwards,  his  congregations  were  visited  with  special 
outpourings  of  the  spirit  of  God  during  the  great  revival,  and 
considerable  numbers  were  added  to  the  church.  On  the  18th 
of  October,  1818,  he  asked  and  obtained  leave  to  resign  the 
pastoral  charge  of  his  congregations.  But  in  the  spring  fol- 
lowing, April  20th,  1819,  he  was  recalled  to  Long  Run,  and 
having  accepted  the  call,  was  installed  again,  during  the  sum- 
mer, as  the  pastor  of  that  church.  After  laboring  among 
this  people  for  an  additional  period  of  three  years,  with  de- 
clining health,  the  pastoral  relation  was  dissolved  finally,  at 
his  request,  April  17th,  1822.  His  health  continued  to  de- 
cline under  the  slow  progress  of  pulmonary  consumption  ;  and 
on  the  27th  of  November,  1827,  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  in  the 
63d  year  of  his  age.  His  last  hours  were  peaceful  and  happy. 
Mr.  Darby  states  that  Mr.  Swan  succeeded  James  Ross,  Esq., 
as  teacher  at  Dr.  M'Millan's  "Log  Cabin." 

Ap.  to  Life  of  Macurdy,  p.  280. 

thirty-third  meeting. 
CHARTIERS,  Sunday,  June  28,  1791.— Presbytery  met 
according  to  adjournment.    Presbytery  was  opened  with  a  ser- 


422  ROBERT   FINLEY   DISMISSED. 

mon  from  Jer.  vi.,  4,  by  Mr.  Marshall.  Commissioners  to  Gene- 
ral Assembly  fulfilled  appointments.  Mr.  Swan — Exegesis — 
sustained. 

Mr.  Robert  Finley,  having  represented  to  Presbytery  that 
probably  he  might  be  under  the  necessity  of  removing  to 
Kentucky  before  their  next  meeting,  therefore  requested  that 
a  member  might  be  appointed  to  furnish  him  with  suitable 
credentials  in  case  it  should  be  necessary.  The  Presbytery 
granted  his  request,  and  appointed  Mr.  James  Finley  for  this 
purpose.  Mr.  Hill — Presbyterial  Exercise — sustained.  Mr. 
Swan,  examined  on  Latin  and  Greek  languages  —  sustained. 
Mr.  Swan — Homily — sustained.  Mr.  Hill  and  Mr.  Swan  — 
examined  further  on  Di\nnity — sustained.  Mr.  Hill — to  pre- 
pare a  lecture  on  11th  Psalms.  Mr.  Swan  —  Presbyterial 
Exercise  on  I.  Peter  iii.  18,  and  lecture  on  60th  Psalms — all 
by  next  meeting.  Adjourned  to  meet  at  Pigeon  Creek,  3d 
Tuesday  in  October.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

THIRTY-FOURTH   MEETING. 

PIGEON  CREEK,  Tuesday,  Oct.  18th,  1791. —Presby- 
tery met  according  to  adjournment.  Presbytery  was  opened 
by  Messrs.  Hill  and  Swan  with  discourses  on  subjects  pre- 
viously assigned  to  them  —  sustained. 

Mr.  M'Pherrin  informed  us  by  letter  —  detained  by  sick- 
ness. Treasurer  reported  that  he  had  received  from  the  fol- 
lowing congregations  the  following  contributions  for  the  sup- 
port of  missionaries,  viz. . — 

Mr.  M'Millan's  congregation,  £1  12s  Qd ;  Mr.  Patterson's, 
£4  3s  9d;  Mr.  M'Pherrin's,  M  Ss;  Mr.  Hughes',  £4  8s  6d; 
Mr.  Clarke's,  £1  7s  6d ;  Mr.  Power's,  £2  12s ;  Mr.  Smith's, 
£17  7s ;  in  all,  £43  15s  Sd ;  for  the  payment  of  which  in 
the  hands  of  the  commissioners  of  Synod,  he  produced  their 
receipt.  Mr.  J.  Finley,  reported  his  attending  to  the  duty 
assigned  him,  as  to  Mr.  R.  Finley.  Upon  motion,  ordered 
that  the  ministers  and  probationers  under  our  care  keep  a 
particular  account  of  the  sums  received  at  the  diiferent  places 
where  they  supply,  and  make  report  at  our  spring  and  fall 


SEMINARIES    OF   LEARNING.  423 

meetings ;  and  that  vacancies  be  ordered  to  inform  Presby- 
tery, at  our  next  spring  meeting,  what  places  tliey  had  fallen 
upon  for  the  discharge  of  supplies  and  promoting  of  religion 
among  them.  All  the  ministers  were  appointed  to  supply  two 
Sabbaths.  Their  appointments  were  disposed  over  the  places 
heretofore  mentioned. 

Contributions  for  the  support  of  missionaries  enjoined  upon 
those  delinquent — to  be  in  next  meeting.  The  Presbytery, 
after  conversing  upon  the  recommendation  of  Synod  respect- 
ing Baptism,  deferred  the  further  consideration  of  it  till  our 
next  spring  meeting.  The  Presbytery,  after  considering  a 
recommendation  of  Synod  respecting  the  institution  of  semi- 
naries of  learning  for  the  purpose  of  educating  pious  youth 
for  the  ministry,  did  approve  thereof;  which  is  as  follows : — 

"  As  the  supplying  of  churches  with  a  pious  and  well-quali- 
fied ministry  is  of  acknowledged  importance — overtured, — 

"  1st.  That  the  Synod  of  Virginia  undertake  the  patronage 
of  a  seminary  of  learning  for  the  pui'pose  of  educating  young 
men  for  the  gospel  ministry. 

"  2d.  That  they  devise  means  for  supporting  or  assisting 
young  men  of  piety  and  genius  in  procuring  an  education, 
who  may  not  be  possessed  of  sufficient  property  for  the  pur- 
pose. The  Synod  highly  approve  of  the  proposition  con- 
tained in  the  overture,  as  they  are  well  convinced  of  the  ne- 
cessity of  extending  the  opportunities  of  acquiring  knowledge, 
and  especially  the  knowledge  of  the  doctrines  of  religion,  to 
all  who  intend  to  preach  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  to  the 
world.  Taking  this  measure,  therefore,  into  serious  conside- 
ration, the  Synod  recommend  that  there  be  two  general  insti- 
tutions for  learning,  conducted  under  the  patronage  of  this 
body ;  one  to  be  established  in  Rockbridge  County,  Virginia, 
under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  William  Graham,  as  the  Presi- 
dent ;  the  other  in  Washington  County,  Pennsylvania,  under 
the  care  of  the  Rev.  John  M'Millan.  The  principles  upon 
which  these  institutions  are  to  be  conducted  are  as  follows : — 

"  1st.  The  learned  languages  and  usual  circle  of  sciences 


424  THE   ACTION   OF   THE   PRESBYTEKT. 

shall  be  taught  in  them  to  as  many  as  may  be  sent  there  for 
instruction. 

"  2d.  During  the  course  of  academical  education,  and  from 
the  first  initiation  of  the  students  into  the  seminaries,  a  course 
of  religious  instruction  shall  also  be  entered  upon,  and  con- 
tinually adhered  to  during  their  residence  there,  according  to 
the  principles  of  our  church.  Books  of  a  practical  and  doc- 
trinal nature,  shall  be  put  into  their  hands  at  once.  Cate- 
chetical lectures  shall  be  established  and  examinations  entered 
into,  upon  their  progress  in  this  kind  of  knowledge,  from  time 
to  time.  The  attention  to  these  studies  shall  be  kept  up 
during  the  whole  of  their  academical  course,  and  suited  to  the 
capacities  and  progress  of  the  youth. 

"od.  The  Presbyteries  of  Lexington  and  Hanover  shall 
be  the  trustees  of  the  seminary  in  Rockbridge,  to  cherish  it 
by  their  influence  and  pointedly  to  attend  the  examinations 
of  the  students ;  either  in  a  collective  capacity  or  by  com- 
mittees from  their  respective  bodies,  duly  appointed.  The 
Presbytery  of  Redstone  shall,  in  like  manner,  superintend 
the  seminary  in  Washington  County. 

"  4th.  In  one  or  other  of  these  institutions,  it  is  the  advice 
of  the  Synod  that  all  the  youth  within  our  bounds,  who  intend 
to  engage  in  the  ministry  of  the  gospel,  shall  be  instructed. 

"  5th.  As  there  are  a  number  of  pious  youth  in  our  coun- 
try, who  might  be  very  serviceable  in  preaching  the  gospel, 
but  through  want  of  sufficient  ability  are  unable  to  obtain  an 
education,  it  is  the  intention  and  desire  of  Synod  that  the 
ministers  in  their  respective  Presbyteries  shall  seek  out  such, 
and  that  they,  being  examined  and  approved  by  the  Presby- 
tery, shall  be  placed  in  the  respective  seminaries,  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  Presbytery  who  shall  approve  them. 

"  6th.  In  order  to  obtain  the  proper  supplies  for  such  indigent 
students  the  Presbyteries  are  exhorted  to  use  their  influence 
in  their  respective  bounds  with  the  pious  and  benevolent  to 
make  annual  contributions  for  raising  a  fund  for  this  purpose, 
this  fund  to  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  treasurers  appointed 


ADOPTING   THE   ACTION   OF   THE    SYNOD.  425 

bj  the  Synod,  who  are  to  return  annual  accounts  of  receipts 
and  expenditures  ;  and  from  it  the  youth  upon  the  foundation, 
are  to  draw  their  supplies,  by  an  order  from  their  respective 
presidents.  And  those  youth,  upon  their  obtaining  their  edu- 
cation, at  the  expiration  of  one  year,  after  being  settled  in 
some  line  of  business,  shall  begin  to  refund  to  the  treasury 
the  expenses  of  their  education,  in  such  time  and  manner  as 
the  Presbytery  may  direct. 

"  7th.  The  rules  of  these  seminaries  and  the  mode  of  educa- 
tion therein,  shall  be  submitted  to  the  Presbyteries  for  their 
respective  approbation." 

The  Presbytery,  therefore,  order  their  members  to  use  their 
best  endeavors  to  obtain  contributions  for  the  above  purpose, 
and  put  them  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  M'Millan,  who  is  appointed 
treasurer,  as  soon  as  possible ;  and  of  their  diligence  herein, 
to  render  an  account  at  our  next  Spring  meeting.  (44) 

(44)  It  will  be  found,  by  tracing  the  further  history  of  this  important 
movement,  that  the  Presbytery,  October  18th,  1792,  "  unanimously 
agreed  to  appoint  Canonsburg  to  be  the  seat  of  that  institution  of  learn- 
ing which  they  are  appointed  by  Synod  to  superintend.''  And  Novem- 
ber 14th,  1702,  upon  motion,  it  was  agreed  to  reconsider  the  propriety 
of  appointing  Canonsburg,  as  the  seat,  &c.,  at  their  next  Spring  meet- 
ing. Then  April  18th,  1793 — confirmed  the  former  minute  respecting 
Canonsburg  Academy,  with  this  addition — "  that  if  it  should  appear  at 
a  future  day,  most  conducive  to  the  good  of  the  church,  that  another 
seminary  of  a  like  nature  should  bo  erected  in  our  bounds,  we  will  not 
oppose  a  division  of  the  funds."  These  are  all  the  notices  until  the 
Presbytery  was  divided.  There  are  frequent  notices  in  the  minutes  of 
the  appointment  of  Committees  to  attend,  along  with  the  Presbytery  of 
Ohio,  upon  the  state  of  the  Academy — the  examination  of  the  students 
of  the  Canonsburg  Academy,  down  to  December  26th,  1797 — also  re- 
commendations to  raise  contributions  for  the  Academy.  Similar  minutes 
are  found  in  the  Eecords  of  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio  at  their  sessions  of 
October,  1793— April,  1794— October  1794,  and  so  on,  till  April,  1797. 
From  both  Records,  all  further  notice,  either  about  examinations  or 
about  raising  funds,  disappear — and  no  reason  whatever  is  given.  At 
the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone,  April,  1798,  Dr.  M'Millan 
was  present  as  a  corresponding  member ;  yet  nothing  was  said  or 
done  about  further  contributions,  or  about  appointing  an  examining 


426  FURTHER   niSTORY   OF   THE   SCHOOL. 

Agreeably  to  a  recommendation  of  Synod,  respecting  the 
religious  observation  of  the  Lord's  day — ordered  that  each 
minister  of  this  Presbytery  shall  read  this  recommendation  in 
their  respective  congregations,  and  engage  spiritedly  in  com- 
plying with  the  same.  Mr.  Swan — a  Presbyterial  exercise — 
sustained. 

Mr.  Hill  and  Mr.  Swan,  examined  upon  Natural  and 
Moral  Philosophy — sustained. 

committee.  In  like  manner,  the  records  of  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio  are 
silent.  AVhy  was  this  ?  What  now  becomes  of  an  institution  entrusted 
to  their  superintendence,  by  their  Synod  ?  And  up  to  this  time,  from 
1793,  what  superintendence  or  control  had  they  over  it  ?  It  appears 
that  all  they  were  permitted  to  do  was  to  attend  the  examinations — not 
to  act  as  trustees — or  to  appoint  or  even  nominate,  either  any  of  the 
Board,  or  any  of  the  Faculty.  They  had  no  part  whatever  as  Presby- 
teries, in  the  government  or  management  of  this  Academy.  They  were 
asked  however,  for  a  few  years,  to  urge  their  people  to  contribute  to  its 
support.  And  this  they  did  at  almost  every  successive  meeting ;  some- 
times three  times  a  year.  But  after  the  year  1797,  they  drop  from  their 
minutes  all  further  notice  of  this  Academy  at  Canonsburg.  Does  the 
following  extract  from  Dr.  Brown's  Life  of  Dr.  M'Millan  throw  any 
light  on  this  point  ?  "  In  1798,  (Dr.  Brown  has  it  1794,  evidently  a 
mistake,)  there  was  an  amendment  to  the  constitution  effecting  impor- 
tant changes.  The  Trustees  were  no  longer  elected  annually,  but  for 
life ;  and  when  vacancies  occurred  by  death  or  otherwise,  the  corporate 
Trustees  elected  others  to  supply  the  vacancy."  It,  in  other  words, 
now  became  a -close  corporation.  Though  the  Presbyterians  of  Red- 
stone and  Ohio  had  not  previously  such  a  superintendence  as  was  mani- 
festly contemplated  in  the  action  of  the  Synod,  (when  the  Synod  said, 
after  appointing  the  Presbyteries  of  Lexington  and  Hanover  Trustees 
of  the  Rockbridge  Academy — that  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone,  and 
afterwards,  we  suppose,  of  Ohio,  shall,  in  like  manner,  superintend  the 
institution  in  Washington  County) ;  yet  up  to  this  time,  they  were  on 
the  whole  satisfied  with  the  arrangement  of  attending,  in  a  body,  or  by 
committees  upon  the  examination  of  the  students.  Perhaps  the  propor- 
tion of  Presbyterians  in  the  board  at  that  time,  and  afterwards  when 
the  Academy  in  1802,  was  merged  into  Jefferson  College,  satisfied 
them  that  any  further  attention  to  the  examinations  was  superfluous 
and  unnecessary.  Both  Presbyteries  afterwards,  more  than  once,  com- 
mended the  Institution  to  the  pecuniary  aid  of  their  people,  even  so 
late  as  1806. 


THE    REV.    JACOB    JENNINGS.  427 

Mr.  Hill — to  prepare  a  popular  sermon  on  Matthew  xxviii. 
20,  and  Mr.  Swan — I.  Timothy  i.  15,  both  by  our  next  meet- 
ing. Adjourned  to  meet  at  Bethel,  on  the  third  Tuesday  of 
December  next.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

'  TIiniTY-FIFTH    MEETING. 

BETHEL,  Tuesday,  December  20th,  1791.  Presbytery 
met,  kc.  The  Presbytery  opened  with  a  sermon  on  tlie  sub- 
ject assigned  at  our  last  meeting — by  Mr.  Swan — sustained. 

The  Rev.  Jacob  Jennings,  (45)  of  the  Low  Dutch  Church, 
being  present  and  invited,  sat  as  a  correspondent.  Agreeably  to 
order,  minutes  of  the  late  meeting,  except  in  regard  to  supplies, 
were  read.  Mr.  Bruce's  reasons — sustained.  "Mr.  David 
Smith,  having  offered  himself  to  be  taken,"  &c.,  (see  former 
minutes,)  taken  on  trials. 

Mr.  Hill — discourse  on  subject  appointed — sustained.  J. 
M.  Bruce,  elder,  came,  reasons  —  sustained.  The  Rev. 
Thomas  Cooly,  late  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of  Charleston, 
appeared  before  us,  and  produced  a  dismission  and  testimonials 
from  said  Presbytery,  together  with  testimonials  from  a  num- 
ber of  dissenting  ministers  in  England,  and  desired  to  be 
received  as  a  member  with  us.  The  Presbytery,  after 
maturely  deliberating  upon  the  matter,  could  not  see  their 
way  clear,  to  receive  him  upon  his  credentials  from  that 
Presbytery,  as  it  is  a  Presbytery  unknown  to  us,  and  not  in 
subordination  to  the  General  Assembly :  but  proceeded  to 
converse  with  him  as  a  minister  from  foreign  parts,  agreeably 
to  the  direction  of  the  General  Synod  in  such  cases,  and 
obtained  such  satisfaction  as  induced  them  to  employ  him 
in  their  vacancies,  until  the  next  meeting  of  Synod ;  yet  they 
expect  that  he  will  before  the  next  meeting  of  Synod,  produce 
some  letters  of  recommendation  from  some  ministers  in  South 
Carolina  known  to  them. 

Mr.  David  Smith  —  examined  on  learned  languages  and 
Divinity  —  sustained.  Also  Mr.  Hill  and  Mr.  Swan  oa 
Divinity — sustained. 


428  •     INDIAN   DEPREDATIONS. 

"The  Presbytery,  having  received  sufficient  testimonials," 
&c.  (see  form  of  license,)  Messrs.  Hill  and  Swan  licensed  to 
preach  the  gospel.  Mr.  Jennings  having  expressed  a  desire 
to  continue  some  time  in  our  bounds — was  appointed  to  supply 
at  Dunlap's  Creek  and  Muddy  Creek,  as  much  as  convenient, 
between  this,  and  next  meeting  of  Presbytery.  Mr.  Cooly 
— to  supply  at  discretion,  particularly  in  Harrison  County. 
The  third  Tuesday  in  January  next,  was  appointed  to  be 
observed  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  particularly  on 
account  of  the  situation  of  our  country,  with  respect  to  the 
savages.  (46) 

(46)  After  General  Harraar's  defeat,  in  1790,  the  Indians  began  afresh 
their  depredations  on  the  AVestern  frontiers.  The  settlers,  especially 
those  wholly  unprotected,  were  left  exposed  to  fall  a  helpless  prey  to 
the  merciless  savages,  who  exercised  the  most  cruel  tortures  upon  a 
large  number  of  their  victims.  The  heavy  disasters  that  befel  Harmar's 
army,  seemed  to  inspire  the  Indians  with  the  hope  of  ultimately  extir- 
pating the  infant  settlements  on  the  Ohio.  Victory  seemed  to  perch 
upon  their  blood-stained  banner,  under  which  they  rallied  to  spread 
destruction  over  the  unprotected  portions  of  the  West.  And  now  still 
more  the  disastrous  defeat  of  the  arms  of  the  United  States,  in  the 
battle  of  the  unfortunate  St.  Clair,  with  the  Indians,  on  the  4th  of 
November,  1791,  about  a  month  and  a  half  before  this  meeting  of  the 
Redstone  Presbytery — spread  anxiety  and  alarm  amongst  our  people, 
especially  towards  the  Ohio. 

["  Of  those  who  do  most  impressively  remember  that  defeat  and  the 
terror  excited  over  the  whole  frontier  region,  by  that  fearful  report ;  I 
am  one  who  heard  the  report  in  its  first  echo.  A  part  of  the  army  was 
composed  of  drafted  men  from  the  Western  settlements,  and  not  a  few 
of  them  perished  in  that  sanguinary  affair.  I  was  then  living  with  my 
parents  in  the  vicinity,  and  five  miles  eastward  of  Washington,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  then  in  my  twentieth  year.'' — William  Darhy,  JSsq.,  in 
the  National  Intelligencer  of  November  Sth,  1851.] 

During  that  year,  there  were  numbers  killed  and  taken  prisoners,  of 
the  settlers  near  Pittsburg.  "  Several  persons,"  says  Major  Craig,  in  a 
letter  to  General  Knox,  March  31st,  1791 — "within  a  few  miles  of  this 
place,  have  fallen  victims  to  the  revenge  of  those  Indians  who  escaped 
on  Beaver  Creek." — (History  of  Pittsburg,  211.)  A  day  of  fasting  and 
prayer  was  doubtless  very  proper  at  that  time.  It  is  remarkable  how 
long  the  "  Canaanite  was  still  in  the  land,"  and  permitted  to  be  a  thorn 


BIOGRAPHY    OF   REV.    JACOB    JENNINGS.  429 

Mr.  David  Smith  —  to  prepare  an  Exegesis  —  "  Quomodo 
miracula  probant  Scripturas  sacras  esse  divinas "  —  and  a 
Homily  on  Rom.  viii.  5 — by  our  next  meeting.  Adjourned  to 
meet  at  Roundhill  the  3d  Tuesday  in  April.  Concluded  with 
prayer. 

(45)  Biographical  Sketch  of  the  Rev.  Jacob  Jennings. 
— "  The  Rev.  Jacob  Jennings  was  born  in  Somerset  County, 
New  Jersey,  in  the  year  1744.  He  was  a  descendant  of  one 
of  the  pilgrims  who  settled  at  Plymouth,  Massachusetts. 
Of  the  place  of  his  education  we  are  not  informed.  He  early 
studied  medicine  and  commenced  its  practice  in  a  small 
village,  near  Elizabethtown,  New  Jersey.  After  some  time 
he  removed  thence  to  Readington  township,  Huntingdon 
County,  where  he  continued  in  the  practice  of  his  profession, 
with  considerable  reputation,  for  many  years.  When  he  was 
about  forty  years  of  age,  and  after  he  had  been  a  medical 
practitioner  for  upwards  of  twenty,  he  turned  his  attention 
to  Theology  and  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel.  From 
the  fact  that  when  he  first  came  to  Western  Pennsylvania,  he 
was  a  member  of  the  Synod  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church 
of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  the  presumption  is  that  he  was 
licensed  in  that  connection.  He  came  to  Pennsylvania  about 
the  year  1791 ;  as  in  December  of  that  year,  he  sat  as  a  cor- 
responding member  of  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone ;  and  was 
received  to  full  membership  by  that  body  on  the  17th  of 
April,  1792.  For  several  years  previous  to  his  arrival  in 
Pennsylvania,  he  had  resided  in  Virginia,  to  which  State  he 
had  removed  soon  after  his  licensure.  He  accepted  a  call 
from  the  congregation  of  Dunlap's  Creek,  in  Fayette  County, 

in  the  side  of  our  people — now  more  than  ten  years  after  the  Presbytery 
was  organized.  "A  large  portion  of  the  killed  were,  of  course,  militia. 
Both  Kentucky  and  Western  Pennsylvania  were  filled  with  mourning. 
The  Indians,  elated  with  success,  renewed  their  attacks  on  the  frontier 
with  increased  force  and  ferocity.  Meetings  were  called  to  devise  means 
for  defending  the  settlements." — American  Pioneer,  Vol.  U.,  p.  215. 


430  FAST   DAY   APPOINTED. 

Pennsylvania,  and  continued  pastor  of  said  church  until  June, 
1811,  when,  on  account  of  his  increased  infirmities,  he  asked 
and  obtained  a  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation.  lie  died, 
February  17th,  1813.  He  was  father  of  the  Rev.  Obadiah 
Jennings,  D.  D.,  late  of  Nashville,  Tennessee  —  and  of  the 
Rev.  Samuel  K.  Jennings,  M.  D.,  a  highly  respectable  minister 
in  the  Metohdist  Protestant  Church,  and  for  some  time  a 
Professor  in  the  Washington  Medical  college,  of  Baltimore. 
Two  of  his  grandsons  also  are  ministers — the  Rev.  Samuel 
C.  Jennings,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio,  and  the  Rev.  Jacob 
Jennings,  son  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  K.  Jennings  above  men- 
tioned— who  is  a  minister  in  the  same  ecclesiastical  connection 
with  his  father." — Appendix  to  Life  of  Macurdy. 

THIRTY-SIXTH   MEETING. 

ROUNDHILL,  Tuesday,  April  17th,  1792.— The  Presby- 
tery met  according  to  adjournment.  Presbytery  opened  with 
a  sermon  from  II.  Cor.  xii.  9,  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Cooly.  The 
Rev.  Jacob  Jennings,  formerly  a  member  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  applied  to  be 
received  as  a  member  of  this  Presbytery ;  and  upon  producing 
sufficient  testimonials  of  his  regular  licensure  and  ordination 
by  the  Synod  of  said  church,  together  with  other  certificates 
of  his  good  moral  and  Christian  character  for  many  years 
past,  was  accordingly  received,  and  took  his  seat  as  a  member. 
A  call  from  the  united  congregations  of  Dunlap's  Creek  and 
Muddy  Creek  to  Mr.  Jennings,  delivered  to  him  for  his  con- 
sideration. Two  calls  from  Fairfield,  Donegal,  and  Wheat- 
field,  and  from  Middle  and  King's  Creeks,  to  Mr.  Hill— deli- 
vered to  him  for  his  consideration. 

The  appointment  respecting  the  fast-day  has  been  complied 
with.  (Supplies,  by  all  the  ministers  two  Sabbaths  each,  with 
few  exceptions ;  and  by  Mr.  Clark,  four  Sabbaths  ;  by  Mr. 
Swan,  several  months ;  all  spread  over  the  vast  field  of  vacan- 
cies.) Mr.  Jennings  accepted  the  call  from  Dunlap's  Creek 
and  Muddy  Creek,  and  appointed  to  supply  at  George's  Creek 
and  Sandy  Creek. 


PERIODICAL    BAPTISM.  431 

The  Presbytery  found,  on  enquiry,  that  several  of  the  mem- 
bers had  done  something  considerable  for  the  education  of 
poor  and  pious  youth,  according  to  an  order  at  our  last  meet- 
ing, and  further  order  that  the  respective  members  go  on  to 
attend  to  this  matter,  and  report  what  progress  they  have 
made  therein  at  our  next  meeting. 

The  Presbytery,  taking  into  their  serious  consideration  the 
recommendation  of  Synod  respecting  periodical  baptism,  can- 
not see  sufficient  ground,  from  Scripture  authority,  for  their 
compliance  therewith. 

An  appeal  from  the  judgment  of  Salem  Session,  in  a  matter 
between  Elizabeth  Trimble  and  Nancy  Woodend,  was  brought 
in  and  read.  The  Presbytery,  after  deliberating  on  the  mat- 
ter, agreed  to  appoint  Messrs.  Finley  and  Power,  together 
with  John  Shields  and  John  Moor,  elders,  as  a  commission 
to  take  up  the  matter  de  novo,  to  meet  at  the  house  of  John 
Taylor,  on  the  4th  Monday  of  May  next,  at  8  o'clock.  Mr. 
Hill  declared  his  acceptance  of  the  call  from  the  united  con- 
gregations of  Fairfield,  Donegal,  and  Wheatfield  ;  and  re- 
turned the  call  from  the  united  congregations  of  Mill  Creek 
and  King's  Creek. 

Mr.  Hill — to  prepare  a  discourse  on  Prov.  xiii.  31,  by  our 
next  meeting,  as  part  of  trial  for  ordination.  Upon  enquiry, 
found  that  congregations  were  satisfied  with  the  care  and  dili- 
gence of  their  respective  pastors. 

Mr.  Thomas  Marquis,  (47)  having  offered  himself  to  be 
taken  on  trials,  in  order  to  his  being  licensed  to  preach  the 
gospel,  the  Presbytery  having  received  sufficient  testimonials 
of  his  having  gone  through  a  regular  course  of  literature,  of 
his  good  moral  character,  and  of  his  being  a  regular  member 
of  the  church,  proceeded  to  converse  with  him  upon  his  expe- 
rimental acquaintance  with  religion,  and  proposed  to  him 
several  cases  of  conscience ;  and  having  obtained  satisfaction 
on  these  points,  agreed  to  take  him  on  trials. 

Mr.  Marquis  —  to  prepare  an  Exegesis  on  the  following 
theme,  viz. :  "  An  reatus  peccati  Adami,  omnibus  ejus  poste- 


432  A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH   OF 

ris,  natural!  generatione  ab  eo  oriundis,  imputatur" — b}^  our 
next  meeting.  Rev.  Messrs.  John  M'Millan,  John  M'Pher- 
rin,  and  Samuel  Porter,  were  appointed  commissioners  to  next 
General  Assembly.  Adjourned  to  meet  at  Chartiers  the  4th 
Tuesday  in  June.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

(47)  Biographical  Sketch  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Mar- 
quis.— The  Rev.  Thomas  Marquis  was  born  at  Opequon,  near 
Winchester,  Virginia.  Having  lost  both  his  parents  when  a 
child,  he  was  brought  up  in  the  family  of  a  pious  uncle.  In 
the  year  1775,  he  married,  and,  with  a  number  of  his  friends, 
removed  to  the  vicinity  of  Cross  Creek,  Washington  County, 
Pennsylvania ;  which  was  then  an  almost  unbroken  wilder- 
ness. Shortly  after  their  arrival,  they  were  called  to  mourn 
the  loss  of  a  brother  of  Mrs.  Marquis — Mr.  Park — who,  close 
to  their  own  dwelling,  was  tomahawked  and  scalped  by  an 
Indian.  For  several  years  the  hostile  incursions  of  the  In- 
dians obliged  the  inhabitants  to  take  refuge  in  forts.  While 
thus  assembled,  through  fear  of  the  savages,  God's  Spirit  was 
poured  out  upon  them,  and  eight  or  ten  persons,  of  which 
Mr.  Marquis  was  one,  were  hopefully  converted.  The  prin- 
cipal instrument  in  this  work  was  a  pious  farmer,  afterwards 
well  known  in  Western  Pennsylvania  as  the  Rev.  Joseph  Pat- 
terson, of  Raccoon.  Thus,  in  the  midst  of  their  trials  their 
hearts  were  made  glad  by  these  tokens  of  the  divine  presence. 
During  this  period,  also,  in  the  year  1778,  they  were  favored 
by  a  visit  from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Power,  who  preached  to  them 
at  Fort  Vance ;  on  which  occasion,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marquis 
presented  their  first  child  to  God  in  baptism.  This  was  the 
first  sermon  preached,  and  the  first  child  baptised,  in  that 
region  of  country.  The  next  year  a  church  was  organized, 
of  which  this  pious  couple  became  members.  Mr.  Marquis 
received  his  classical  education  at  Canonsburg  Academy,  stu- 
died theology  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  M'Millan,  and  was  licensed 
to  preach  the  gospel  by  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone,  at  Dun- 
lap's  Creek,  April  19th,  1793.     Having  received  a  call  to 


THE   REV.    THOMAS    MARQUIS.  433 


the  con;zren;ation  of  Cross  Creek,  within  the  bounds  of  tl 


ic 


Presbytery  of  Ohio,  he  became  connected  with  that  Presby- 
tery April  23d,  1704 ;  and,  on  the  13th  of  June  following, 
•was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the  congregation  to  which 
he  had  been  called.  In  addition  to  his  labors  at  Cross  Creek, 
he  acted  as  a  stated  supply  one-half  of  the  time  at  Uppe;- 
Buffalo,  until  that  church  called  the  Rev.  John  Anderson  to 
be  their  pastor,  when  his  connection  with  it  ceased.  He  con- 
tinued, however,  in  the  charge  -of  the  church  of  Cross  Creek, 
until  October  3d,  182G ;  which,  from  the  time  of  his  settle- 
ment as  their  pastor,  included  a  period  of  thirty-two  yearl. 
Several  precious  revivals  occurred  during  his  ministry,  and 
upwards  of  four  hundred  persons  were  added  to  the  church. 
He  died  peacefully  and  triumphantly,  on  September  27th, 
1827,  at  the  house  of  his  son-in-law,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Ste- 
venson, in  Bellefontaine,  Logan  County,  Ohio ;  whither  he 
had  gone  on  a  visit  to  his  daughter  and  her  family.  He  was 
upwards  of  seventy  years  of  age.  All  who  knew  him  speak 
of  him  as  an  eloquent  and  impressive  preacher.  The  tones 
of  his  voice  were  exceedingly  rnusical.  Hence  he  was  often 
called  "the  silver-tongued  Marquis."  In  the  judicatories  of 
the  church  he  was  esteemed  a  wise  and  judicious  counsellor. 
Hence,  when,  in  1804,  the  General  Assembly  determined  to 
appoint  a  committee  to  visit  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  and 
endeavor  to  heal  the  disorders  which  had  taken  place  within 
the  bounds  of  that  Synod,  he  was  chosen  one  of  the  number 
for  that  purpose.  The  manner  in  which  the  committee  exe- 
cuted their  commission  will  be  seen  by  the  following  resolu- 
tion, passed  by  the  General  Assembly  at  their  next  meeting, 
in  1805  :— 

"  Resolved,  that  they  highly  approve  the  firm  and  tempe- 
rate measures  taken  by  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  and  the  com- 
missioners of  the  Assembly  that  met  with  them  ;  and  are  of 
opinion  that  the  committee,  besides  the  pecuniary  indemnity 
assigned  them,  are  entitled  to  the  thanks  of  the  Assembly  for 
the  diligence,  prudence,  zeal,  and  fidelity  with  which  they 
28 


434  A   BIOGRAPinCAL   SKETCH    OF 

appear  to  have  executed  their  commission."  He  was  one  of 
the  original  members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Western 
Mississippi  Society,  and  for  a  number  of  years  gave  his  coun- 
sels and  his  labors  to  aid  in  carrying  on  its  operations.* 

It  is  not  improbable  that  Mr.  Marquis's  visit  to  Kentucky, 
and  his  influence  and  efforts  while  there,  contributed  mainly 
to  save  Messrs.  Marshall  and  M'Gready  from  their  further 
wanderings  into  errors  and  divisive  measures.  And  they 
were  well  worth  saving ;  for  they  were  noble,  though,  for  a 
while,  misguided  men.  It  is  remarkable  that  Mr.  Marquis 
was  received  as  a  candidate  for  the  ministry  on  the  very  day 
that  his  pastor  and  predecessor  died ! 

"  I  believe,"  says  the  Rev.  Jacob  Lindley,  "  there  is  a  mis- 
take in  Dr.  Elliott's  Life  of  Thomas  Marquis.  He  says  Mar- 
quis received  his  classical  education  at  Canonsburg  Academy, 
and  studied  theology  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  M'Millan.  The  fact 
in  his  case  is,  he  never  studied  the  classics.  I  had  this  from 
his  own  mouth.  He  studied  English  grammar,  a  smattering 
of  the  Latin,  and  the  sciences,  at  Dr.  McMillan's  own  house, 
where  he  repaired,  occasionally,  to  take  lessons,  while  he  left 
his  farm  and  family  on  Cross  Creek,  in  the  care  of  his  two 
oldest  sons,  then  but  mere  lads.  He  told  me,  when  at  his 
house,  as  an  apology  for  his  ignorance  of  the  Greek  Testa- 
ment, that,  under  all  his  embarrassments  and  original  igno- 
rance, it  was  but  three  years  from  the  time  he  commenced 
his  studies  with  a  view  to  the  ministry,  until  he  was  licensed 
to  preach.  He  also  told  me  that  much  of  these  three  years 
was  spent  with  Mr.  Smith,  as  he  was  more  immediately  in  the 
neighborhood  of  his  farm  and  family.  Marquis  was  the  most 
eminent  pulpit  orator  of  his  day,  because  he  seemed  more 
deeply  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  Mr.  Smith." 

It  is  said  that  Dr.  Ashbel  Green,  after  hearing  Mr.  Mar- 
quis in  his  own  pulpit,  in  Philadelphia,  was  so  deeply  affected 
by  the  matter  and  manner  of  the  discourse,  that  he  resolved 

*  Append.  Life  of  Macurdy. 


THE    REV.    THOMAS    MARQUIS.  435 

to  abandon  his  own  method,  and  adopt  that  of  Marquis :  with 
what  success,  we  never  heard. 

During  the  great  revival  of  1802,  '3,  *4,  ^Ir.  Marquis  was 
amongst  the  foremost  of  those  who  labored  with  great  success 
in  the  work.  In  the  space  of  two  or  three  years,  at  that 
time,  he  was  honored  with  an  instrumentality  in  the  salvation 
of  souls  that  but  few  ministers  ever  enjoy  during  a  long  life- 
time. His  own  pastoral  charge  at  Cross  Creek  was  especially 
favored  with  a  mighty  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  In  the  9th 
number  of  the  Western  Missionary  Magazine,  p.  329,  we  read 
as  follows : — 

"  On  the  5th  of  October,  1802,  the  day  of  concert  prayer,  the 
Lord  appeared,  by  the  powerful  operation  of  the  Spirit,  in 
the  congregation  of  Cross  Creek,  the  charge  of  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Marquis.  The  people  were  solemn  and  attentive 
through  the  day  ;  and  in  the  evening,  when  dismissed,  they 
appeared  backward  to  go  away.  After  part  were  gone,  and 
many  standing  about  the  doors,  one  of  the  elders,  who  was 
in  the  house,  went  to  the  door  and  spoke  a  few  words  respect- 
ing their  situation,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  young  people 
were  all  in  tears.  They  then  joined  in  singing  a  hymn,  and 
in  prayer.  By  this  time,  some  of  those  who  had  gone  away 
returned.  They  went  all  again  into  the  house,  candles  were 
brought,  and  the  night  was  spent  in  prayer,  conversation,  and 
praise,  until  2  o'clock  in  the  morning.  During  this  time 
many  were  much  affected.  It  appeared  that  the  power  of 
God,  like  a  mighty  wind,  filled  the  house.  Numbers  sunk 
down  and  cried  out  in  the  anguish  of  their  souls,  bitterly 
lamenting  their  misimprovement  of  time  and  abuse  of  mer- 
cies. They,  in  a  very  moving  manner,  expressed  their  sense 
of  sin  and  guilt,  the  hardness  of  their  hearts,  and  the  justice 
of  God  in  passing  them  by  neglected  in  this  their  deep  dis- 
tress," &c.  Then,  of  the  following  night,  —  "It  was  a  night 
to  be  had  in  everlasting  remembrance,  for  which,  it  is  hoped, 
many  will  praise  God  eternally.  At  this  time,  some  began 
to  speak  the  language  of  Canaan  with  solemn,  sweet  serenity 
of  mind,  and  in  heavenly,  heart-affecting  accents." 


436  DEATH    OF   MR.    SMITH. 

THIRTY-SEVENTH    MEETING. 

CHARTIERS,  Tuesday,  June  26th,  1792.  —  Presbytery 
met  according  to  adjournment.  Presbytery  opened  with  a 
sermon  on  John  x.  14,  by  Mr.  Patterson.  The  Presbytery 
found  that  the  Rev.  Joseph  Smith  was  removed  by  death,  on 
the  19th  of  April  last.  Mr.  David  Smith,  having  been  de- 
tained from  our  last  meeting  by  the  sickness  and  death  of  his 
father,  now  brought  in  and  read  an  Exegesis  on  a  theme  as- 
signed —  sustained.  Mr.  Hill,  having  informed  Presbytery, 
by  letter,  that  he  could  not  attend  our  present  meeting  to  de- 
liver the  discourse  appointed  him,  is  therefore  required  to 
attend  to  it  at  our  next. 

The  committee  appointed  to  meet  on  the  Appeal  from  Salem 
Session,  reported  that  they  met  accordingly,  but  found  that 
they  could  not  proceed,  because  the  witnesses,  though  cited, 
did  not  attend ;  that,  therefore,  they  had  recommended  to  the 
parties  to  call  the  assistance  of  some  of  their  elders,  and  en- 
deavor to  have  the  affair  accommodated;  which  report  was 
approved. 

Mr.  Smith  brought  in  and  read  a  Homily  on  the  subject 
appointed  him  at  our  last  winter  meeting ;  also  a  Presbyte- 
rial  Exercise  on  Heb.  iv.  17 ;  which,  though  not  appointed 
him  by  Presbytery,  as  he  was  necessarily  detained  from  our 
last  meeting,  and  so  had  no  part  of  trials  given  him,  yet  was 
received  as  though  it  had  been  appointed,  and  both  were  sus- 
tained as  parts  of  trial. 

Mr.  Marquis — an  Exegesis — sustained.  Mr.  Boyd  Mercer, 
"having  offered  himself,"  &c.,  (see  previous  forms  of  minutes,) 
taken  on  trial.  The  Presbytery,  having  taken  into  conside- 
ration a  reference  from  the  session  of  Roundhill  congregation, 
were  of  opinion  that  they  had  not  sufficient  evidence  to  prove 
that  John  Crawford  is  the  father  of  Hannah  Burney's  child ; 
and  that  said  Burney  be  admitted  to  give  satisfaction  in  the 
common  mode. 

Mr.  Marquis  and  Mr.  Mercer  examined  on  Latin  and  Greek 
languages,  and  Mr.  Smith  on  Hebrew — all  sustained.    Messrs. 


FOUR   CALLS    FOR    MR.    SWAN.  437 

M'Millan  and  Brice — leave  of  absence.  Presbytery  renewed 
their  order  respecting  raising  funds  for  the  support  of  mis- 
sionaries agreeably  to  the  plan  of  the  Synod,  and  ordered 
their  members  to  bear  or  convey  said  collections  to  the  Trea- 
surer of  the  Commission  of  Synod  at  the  next  meeting  of 
Synod.  Commissioners  to  the  General  Assembly  fulfilled 
their  appointment. 

Mr.  Smith  —  to  prepare  a  lecture  on  Ileb.  vi.  1-6.  Mr. 
Marquis — a  Ilomily  on  Rom.  viii.  14.  Mr.  Mercer,  an  Exe- 
gesis on  "An  Decreta  Dei  conditionata  vel  absoluta  sint?" 
The  united  congregations  of  Cross  Creek  and  Buffalo,  being 
left  vacant  by  Mr.  Smith's  decease,  made  application  for  sup- 
plies. Adjourned  to  meet  at  Pigeon  Creek  the  3d  Tuesday 
in  October.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

THIRTY-EIGHTH   MEETING. 

PIGEON  CREEK,  Tuesday,  October  16th,  1792.  Pres- 
bytery met  according  to  adjournment.  The  Presbytery  opened 
with  discourses  by  Messrs.  Hill  and  Smith  —  subjects  previ- 
ously assigned — sustained. 

Four  calls  —  from  Mingo  Creek  and  Horse-shoe  Bottom ; 
from  Bethel  and  Ebenezer ;  from  Long  Run  and  Sewickly ; 
and  from  Mill  Creek  and  King's  Creek  —  for  Mr.  Swan!  all 
put  into  his  hands  for  his  consideration.  Mr.  Swan  returned 
the  first  two  calls,  and  asked  longer  time  about  the  others. 
(Supplies  furnished  to  almost  all  the  vacancies,  by  all  the 
ministers  —  two  Sabbaths  each.)  The  Presbytery  find  that, 
agreeably  to  the  order  of  the  General  Assembly,  Mr.  Cooley's 
testimonials  were  laid  before  Synod,  and  that  the  Synod, 
from  the  peculiar  nature  of  said  testimonials,  suspected  the 
authenticity  of  them,  and  therefore  agreed  to  retain  them 
and  lay  them  before  the  General  Assembly  next  Spring. 
Also,  finding  that  Mr.  Cooley  has  n^t  complied  with  the  order 
of  Presbytery  respecting  letters  of  recommendation  from 
ministers  in  South  Carolina,  did  not  see  their  way  clear  lo 


438  MR.    MARSHALL    DISMISSED. 

employ  liim  any  longer  until  further  satisfaction  be  obtained 
respecting  these  matters. 

The  Presbytery  proceeded  to  consider  a  reference  from  the 
Session  of  Congruity  congregation,  respecting  a  certain  James 
Christy  and  Rebecca  Gordon.  After  hearing  all  the  minutes 
of  the  Session  relating  to  that  affair,  and  duly  deliberating 
thereon,  Presbytery  were  unanimously  of  opinion  that  no 
credit  ought  to  be  given  to  the  oath  of  Rebecca  Gordon,  and 
therefore  that  there  is  no  sufficient  evidence  to  criminate  said 
Christy  as  being  the  father  of  said  Gordon's  child  —  yet,  as 
there  appeared  to  have  been  unbecoming  conduct  between  the 
above-mentiotied  parties,  Presbytery  judged  that  neither  of 
them  ought  to  be  received  to  distinguishing  privileges,  until 
Providence  shall  shed  further  light  upon  the  matter. 

The  Presbytery  agree  to  ordain  Mr.  G.  Hill  on  the  second 
Tuesday  of  November,  at  Fairfield ;  and  appointed  Mr.  Por- 
ter to  preach  the  ordination  sermon,  and  Mr.  Power  to  pre- 
side and  give  the  charge. 

The  Treasurer  reported  that  he  had  received  the  following 
contributions  for  the  support  of  missionaries,  viz. :  from  Mr. 
M'Pherrin,  X5  2s. ;  Mr.  Hughes,  £3 ;  Mr.  Dunlap,  X5  16s. 
^d. ;  Mr.  M'Millan,  15s.— in  all  ^14  13s.  9c?.— for  which  he 
produced  the  receipt  of  the  Commission  of  Synod. 

The  Presbytery  having  received  a  dismission  and  certifi- 
cate from  the  Commission  of  Synod,  testifying  that  Mr. 
Robert  Marshall  had  conducted  himself  in  a  becoming  man- 
ner, while  riding  a  missionary  under  their  care  and  direction 
—  and  also  a  letter  from  Mr.  M.,  requesting  a  dismission  from 
Presbytery,  to  join  the  Presbytery  of  Transylvania  —  agree 
to  grant  his  request,  and  recommend  him  as  a  licentiate  in 
good  standing.  Ordered  that  the  Clerk  transmit  a  copy  of 
this  minute  to  Mr.  Marshall.  (48) 

Upon  inquiry,  found  that  a  number  of  the  members  had 
done  something  considerable  towards  raising  a  fund  for  the 
education  of  poor  and  pious  youth,  and  that  it  is  the  design 


SEMINARY   STATIONED   AT   CANONSBURQ.  439 

of  all  the  members  present  to  Jo  what  they  can  in  this 
matter. 

Mr.  Marquis  and  Mr.  Mercer  —  discourses  —  sustained. 

Synod  having  appointed  the  second  Thursday  of  November 
to  be  observed  as  a  day  of  solemn  fasting  and  prayer,  to  sup- 
plicate Aluiighty  God  to  pour  out  his  Holy  Spirit  upon  our 
assemblies,  and  to  revive  religion  in  our  churches — also  to  re- 
turn God  humble  thanks  for  the  divine  influences  he  has  already 
granted  to  some  places  in  our  bounds  —  Presbytery  heartily 
concurred  with  the  appointment,  and  enjoined  it  upon  the 
churches  in  their  bounds  carefully  to  observe  the  same. 

The  Presbytery  granted  Mr.  Swan's  request  to  retain  the 
two  calls  now  in  his  hands  till  next  meeting,  and  appointed 
him  to  supply  those  places  till  then. 

The  Presbytery  unanimously  agreed  to  appoint  Canons- 
burg  to  be  the  seat  of  that  institution  of  learning,  which  they 
are  appointed  by  Synod  to  superintend;  and  that  all  the 
young  men  taken  upon  the  fund  for  the  support  of  poor  and 
pious  youths,  shall  be  educated  there. 

Messrs.  Smith,  Marquis  and  Mercer  examined  on  Moral 
Philosophy  —  and  Marquis  and  Mercer,  at  some  length,  on 
Divinity  —  all  sustained.  Mr.  Smith  to  prepare  a  popular 
sermon  on  John  xv.  12 ;  Mr.  Marquis — a  Presbyterial  Exer- 
cise on  Galatians  iv.  45 ;  and  Mr.  Mercer  a  Homily  on  Isaiah 
Ixiv.  6  —  all  by  next  meeting.  Adjourned  to  meet  at  Fair- 
field, second  Tuesday  of  November.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

(48)  Biographical  Sketch  of  the  Rev.  Robert  Mar- 
shall.—  As  this  very  eminent  servant  of  God,  after  laboring 
near  two-and-a-half  years  as  a  licentiate  of  the  Redstone 
Presbytery,  now  withdraws  to  another  field,  and  his  name 
will  appear  no  more  on  the  minutes,  it  may  be  proper  to  give 
some  further  account  of  him. 

"  The  Rev.  Robert  Marshall  was  born  in  County  Down, 
Ireland,  November  27th,  l7G0,  and  in  the  twelfth  year  of 
his  age  accompanied  his  family  to  western  Pennsylvania.    He 


440  A   BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH    OF 

-was  a  wild  boy ;  and  when  the  Revolutionary  War  broke  out, 
enlisted  as  a  private  soldier,  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  in  opposi- 
tion to  the  wishes  of  his  mother.  Contrary  to  what  might 
have  been  expected  from  such  a  beginning,  while  in  the  army 
he  never  swore  nor  drank,  although  drinking  and  profanity 
were  common  in  the  camp,  and  liquor  formed  part  of  the  ra- 
tions. When  not  on  duty,  he  retired  to  his  tent,  and  devoted 
himself,  like  Cobbet,  to  the  study  of  arithmetic  and  mathe- 
matics, lie  was  in  six  general  engagements,  one  of  which  was 
the  hard-fought  battle  of  Monmouth,  where  he  narrowly  es- 
caped with  his  life,  a  bullet  grazing  his  locks.  To  the  end  of 
life,  military  music  had  a  stirring  effect  on  him. 

"After  the  War,  he  joined  the  Seceders,  and  was  very  self- 
righteous,  but,  as  he  afterwards  believed,  was  a  stranger  to  a 
real  change  of  heart.  It  was  under  a  searching  sermon  of 
that  man  of  God,  Dr.  M'Millan,  from  Romans  ix.  22,  that  he 
who  had  come  to  find  food  for  criticism  and  cavil  in  a  preacher 
of  a  rival  denomination,  felt  that  he  was  one  of  '  the  vessels 
of  wrath  fitted  for  destruction.'  His  self-possession  deserted 
him,  his  proud  head  dropped,  and  he  was  thrown  into  a  state 
of  the  deepest  anguish.  He  vainly  sought  some  outward  sign 
from  heaven  of  his  acceptance,  and  not  receiving  any,  fell  into 
despair.  At  length  he  became  sensible  of  the  presumption  of 
dictating  to  God  the  evidences  of  conversion,  and  obtained  a 
more  rational  hope.  This  hope  he  never  afterwards  lost,  not 
even  in  his  wildest  aberrations,  and  towards  the  close  of  life 
it  rose  to  a  high  degree  of  assurance. 

"He  was  now  about  twenty -three  years  old  —  but  not  de- 
terred by  his  age,  he  resolutely  commenced  preparation  for 
the  ministry.  His  academical  studies  were  conducted  under 
Mr.  Graham,  at  Liberty  Hall ;  his  theological  course  under 
Dr.  M'Millan,  something  of  whose  solemn  manner  he  caught. 
While  at  Liberty  Hall,  he  maintained  an  exemplary  and  con- 
sistent walk  among  a  set  of  profane  and  wicked  youths,  and 
though  standing  alone,  commanded  universal  respect.  After 
being  licensed  by  Redstone  Presbytery,  he  returned  to  Vir- 


THE    IlEV.    ROBERT    MARSHALL.  441 

ginia,  and  labored  in  the  revival  with  great  zeal  and  success. 
He  was  remarkable  for  his  fidelity  in  visiting  and  conversing 
upon  religion.  In  1791,  he  removed,  with  his  wife,  to  Ken- 
tucky, in  the  capacity  of  a  missionary  of  the  Synod ;  and  on 
the  13th  of  June,  1793,  was  ordained  pastor  of  Bethel  and 
Blue  Spring  churches.  He  also  conducted  a  classical  school, 
at  which  many  received  their  education,  who  afterwards  made 
a  very  prominent  figure  in  the  world. 

"  In  the  great  revival  of  1800,  Mr.  Marshall  was  one  of 
the  chief  leaders ;  and  carried  away  by  the  torrent  of  enthu- 
siasm that  swept  over  Kentucky,  and  sincerely  believing  his 
more  sober  brethren  to  be  wrong,  he  joined  with  Stone,  in 
1803,  in  fomenting  the  new-light  schism.  He  afterwards  saw 
his  error,  and  in  1811  returned  to  the  bosom  of  the  church. 
The  schismatics  were,  at  first,  called  Marshallites ;  but,  on 
his  defection,  were  known  by  the  name  of  Stonites.  H^ 
afterwards  used  to  say  that  he  could  not  ascribe  his  conduct 
to  any  other  cause  than  a  strange  infatuation ;  and  for  years, 
never  mounted  the  pulpit  without  lamenting  his  errors,  and 
warning  the  people  against  similar  delusions. 

"  He  took  an  appointment  under  the  Assembly's  Standing 
Committee  of  Missions,  in  1812,  and  was  soon  after  reinstated 
in  his  old  charge  of  Bethel,  where  he  continued  till  his  de- 
cease, in  1833,  at  the  advanced  age  of  73."  —  Davidsons 
History  of  Presbyterian  Church  in  Kentucky. 

TniRTY-NINTH   MEETING. 

FAIRFIELD,  (49)  November  14th,  1792.— Presbytery 
met,  &c.    The  Presbytery  proceeded  to  set  apart  Mr.  George 

(49)  Fairfield,  now  in  the  Presbytery  of  Blairsville,  was  early  or- 
ganized. After  being  supplied  by  the  Presbytery  for  a  number  of  years, 
it  at  length,  in  connection  with  Donegal  and  "NVheatfield,  obtained  as  its 
pastor  the  Rev.  George  Hill,  who  was  ordained  and  installed  among 
them,  November  13th,  1792.  He  continued  the  pastor  of  this  church 
until  his  death,  June  7th,  1822.    On  the  17th  of  June,  1824,  the  Rev. 


442  FAIRFIELD    CHURCH. 

Hill  to  the  holy  office  of  the  gospel  ministry,  according  to  our 
constitution.  Mr.  Porter  preached  upon  the  occasion,  and 
Mr.  Power  presided,  and  gave  the  charge.  Mr.  Hill  then 
took  his  seat  as  a  member. 

Upon  motion,  it  was  agreed  to  reconsider  the  propriety  of 
appointing  Canonsburg  as  the  seat  of  that  institution  of  learn- 
ing, which  Presbytery  are  appointed  to  superintend  —  at  our 
next  spring  meeting. 

Mr.  Samuel  Mahon,  formerly  a  licentiate  under  the  care 
of  Carlisle  Presbytery,  having  accepted  a  call  in  our  bounds, 
professed  a  desire  to  be  taken  under  the  care  of  this  Presby- 
tery ;  and  having  produced  a  certificate  of  his  good  standing 
as  a  licentiate,  with  that  body,  and  a  regular  dismission  from 
them,  was  accordingly  received  —  appointed  to  deliver  a  dis- 
course on  John  vi.  44,  at  next  meeting,  and  to  supply  at 
Pittsburg  until  that  time. 

Mr.  Smith  —  his  appointed  discourse  —  sustained.  Mr. 
Smith  and  Mr.  Mercer — examined  on  Natural  Philosophy™ 
sustained.  "  The  Presbytery  having  received  sufficient  testi- 
monials,"&c.,  (see  form,  &c.,)  Mr.  David  Smith  was  licensed 
to  preach  the  gospel.  (50)  Mr.  Marquis  and  Mr.  Mercer  — 
their  appointed  discourses — sustained.  Mr.  Marquis — to  pre- 
pare a  lecture  on  Ephesians  v.  1-6 — and  a  sermon  on  Psalms 
Ix.  1;  and  Mr.  Mercer — a  Presbyterial  Exercise  on  Hebrews 
X.  1 — and  a  sermon  on  Romans  v.  12-21  —  all  by  next 
meeting. 

Mr.  Swan  having  requested  longer  time  to  determine  re- 
specting the  calls  in  his  hands  —  to  supply  as  much  as  conve- 
nient in  those  congregations  until  his  mind  is  determined. 

Samuel  Swan  was  ordained  pastor  of  Fairfield,  in  connection  with  Li- 
gonier  and  Donegal.  He  continued  their  pastor  for  some  years,  when 
the  pastoral  relation  was  dissolved.  In  1843,  the  Rev.  John  Fleming 
became  their  pastor  for  two  or  three  years.  In  1847,  the  Rev.  0.  H. 
Miller  became  the  pastor  of  Fairfield.  His  successor  was  the  Rev. 
William  Colledge,  who  has  been  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  J.  W. 
Walker.  This  church,  in  connection  with  Union,  reports  number  of 
communicants,  in  1854 — 193. 


SKETCn  OF  THE  REV.  DAVID  SMITH.        443 

Numerous  supplies  appointed  to  Mr.  Smith.  Adjourned 
to  meet  at  Rehoboth,  on  third  Tuesday  of  April.  Concluded 
with  prayer. 

(50)  BiOGRArHicAL  Sketch  of  the  Rev.  David  Smith. 
— The  Rev.  David  Smith,  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Smith, 
inherited  the  prominent  traits  of  both  his  parents,  and  by 
Divine  grace  was  made  to  resemble  them  still  more. 

He  was  born,  it  is  believed,  in  Wilmington,  Delaware,  in 
1772 ;  and  was  seven  or  eight  years  of  age  when  his  parents 
entered  western  Pennsylvania.  Even  at  this  early  age,  his 
father,  discovering  in  him  an  unusual  readiness  to  learn,  put 
a  Latin  grammar  in  his  hands.  At  about  the  age  of  sixteen, 
there  being  no  academy  in  the  west,  he  accompanied  his 
father  to  one  of  the  meetings  of  the  Synod  of  Virginia,  and 
was  there  transferred  to  the  care  of  Dr.  John  B.  Smith,  then 
president  of  Hampden  Sidney  College.  Under  the  ministry 
of  that  distinguished  man,  it  is  believed  he  was  hopefully 
converted  to  God ;  and  soon  directed  all  his  studies  with  a 
view  to  the  gospel  ministry.  His  close  application  to  study 
had  nearly  broken  down  a  constitution  by  no  means  vigorous, 
when  by  the  advice  of  his  friends  and  his  spiritual  father  he 
took  an  excursion  as  a  travelling  companion  with  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Hill,  who  had  been  then  recently  licensed  and  appointed 
to  itinerate  for  six  months  in  the  lower  counties  of  Virginia. 
Dr.  Hill,  some  years  before  his  death,  furnished  the  writer 
with  the  following  notices  respecting  their  journey  and  the 
subject  of  this  notice. 

"  Although  he  had  not  commenced  his  trials  for  licensure, 
yet  as  he  was  near  finishing  his  collegiate  course,  and  had  the 
ministry  in  view,  I  determined  to  call  upon  him  occasionally 
to  pray  and  give  an  exhortation  at  the  close  of  my  sermons 
— as  we  were  not  very  rigidly  bound  to  church  rules  and  cus- 
toms in  those  days.  We  set  off  upon  our  itinerations  about 
the  first  of  November,  1790.  Among  my  first  sermons,  at 
an  old  deserted  meeting-house,  upon  the  borders  of  Powhatan, 


444  A   BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCH    OF 

I  called  upon  him  to  conclude  the  services  by  exhortation  and 
prayer.  He  attempted  it,  but  was  most  excessively  fright- 
ened ;  yet  made  out  better  than  he  thought  he  did.  He  was 
of  a  very  timid  and  modest  disposition.  His  fright  was  so 
great  that  it  was  many  weeks  before  I  could  prevail  upon 
him  to  undertake  it  again,  except  to  take  part  in  family  wor- 
ship. However,  he  did  rally  over  it  before  our  six  months 
were  expired.  When  we  arrived  at  Colonel  Gordon's  we  were 
introduced  into  a  large  company  of  persons,  apparently  gay 
and  fashionable  in  their  dress,  and  with  all  the  stiff  formality 
of  worldly  etiquette — so  different  from  what  we  expected  from 
the  accounts  we  had  received  of  the  piety  of  Colonel  Gordon 
and  his  family,  that  a  very  unfavorable  impression  was  made 
upon  both  of  us ;  so  that,  after  we  went  to  bed,  Mr.  Smith 
very  seriously  proposed  that  we  should  set  off  next  morning 
and  leave  the  place,  not  believing  that  any  good  could  be 
done  among  a  people  so  gay  and  thoughtless.  But  we  soon 
became  convinced,  that  under  all  this  gaiety  and  formality, 
so  different  from  what  we  ever  saw  before  among  professors 
of  religion — were  some  of  the  most  pious  and  devout  Chris- 
tians we  ever  met  with.  During  the  six  or  eight  months  we 
staid  there,  we  found  in  his  family  as  comfortable  a  home  as 
we  ever  had,  and  a  considerable  and  promising  excitement 
upon  religious  subjects  prevailed  through  the  country."  Thus 
was  this  young  man  trained  in  part  for  his  work.  We  doubt 
whether  more  of  this  sort  of  schooling  would  be  of  any  dis- 
advantage in  our  day. 

Mr.  Smith  returned  to  his  college  and  in  due  time  graduated. 
His  diploma  is  honored  with  the  name  of  a  president  whose 
memory  ought  to  be  more  known  and  revered  than  it  is.  Dr. 
John  B.  Smith,  the  principal  instrument  of  the  great  revival 
in  Virginia,  of  1787-89  and  1790,  was  one  of  the  brightest 
luminaries  of  our  church. 

David  Smith,  on  his  return  to  his  father's  house,  after 
spending  the  usual  timt  there  in  his  studies  for  the  ministry, 
was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel,  and  in  the  course  of  the 


THE    REV.    DAVID    SMITH.  445 

ensuing  year,  receiving  a  call  to  the  united  cliurclies  of 
George's  Creek  and  the  Tent,  in  Fayette  County,  ^vas  ordained 
and  settled  there.  He  soon  after  married  a  daughter  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Power,  (his  daughter  Rebecca,  the  first  child  born 
in  a  minister's  family  west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains,  in 
December,  1776.)  Mr.  Smith  labored  with  great  success  in 
this  his  first  field,  for  about  four  years ;  when  he  removed  to 
the  Forks  of  Yough,  in  Westmoreland  County,  and  took 
charge  of  the  congregations  of  Rehoboth  and  Roundhill,  then 
vacant  by  the  death  of  the  Rev.  James  Finley.  Here  he 
preached  till  he  died. 

His  labors  were  arduous  and  unsparing.  Towards  the  close 
of  his  career,  his  talents  as  a  preacher  shone  out  with  great 
power.  It  was  commonly  remarked  that  the  mantle  of  his 
father  had  fallen  upon  him.  He  became  also  one  of  the 
editors  of  the  Western  Missionary  Magazine,  and  was  ap- 
pointed by  his  Presbytery  (of  Redstone)  as  one  of  the  visi- 
tants of  their  academy  at  Canonsburg.  But  he  finished  his 
work  at  a .  still  earlier  age  than  his  father.  A  revival  of 
religion  had  commenced  in  his  congregations.  He  labored 
beyond  his  strength  to  meet  the  increased  demand  for  his 
services.  A  new  brick  meeting-house  (the  first  country  brick 
house  of  worship  ever  built  in  the  West)  had  been  fitted  up, 
in  an  unfinished  state  for  the  temporary  reception  of  the 
crowded  night  meetings.  Mr.  Smith  preached  his  last  sermon 
on  Friday  night  in  the  month  of  August,  1803,  in  this  new 
house ;  reached  home  with  fever  and  headache,  and  ten  days 
after  his  spirit  took  its  flight  from  earth.  His  death-bed  was 
a  scene  of  the  triumph  of  faith.  He  received  and  exhorted 
his  elders,  and  many  of  his  people,  as  long  as  his  strength 
lasted.  lie  sent  for  two  of  the  most  respectable  citizens  of 
the  county,  who  had  been  at  variance  for  some  time,  reconciled 
them  and  made  them  shake  hands  across  his  dying  bed.  His 
weeping  people  bore  his  mortal  remains  to  the  grave  near  the 
Church  where  he  preached  his  last  sermon.  On  his  tomb- 
stone are  these  words : 


446  MR.  barr's  case. 

"  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  David  Smith,  late 
pastor  of  the  united  congregations  of  Rehoboth  and  Round- 
hill,  who  departed  this  life  August  24th,  1803,  in  the  thirty- 
second  year  of  his  age.  He  was  a  sound  divine,  a  faithful 
pastor  and  pathetic  preacher.  The  word  of  God  by  him  dis- 
pensed, will  prove  to  many  in  this  place  a  savor  of  life  unto 
life,  or  of  death  unto  death." 

It  is  said  that  the  unexpected  death  of  this  young  servant 
of  God  produced  a  very  wide-felt  sensation,  and  was  made  in- 
strumental in  giving  fresh  impulse  to  that  greatest  of  all 
revivals  that  has  ever  been  in  the  West.  Great  expectations 
were  entertained  of  his  future  eminence.  It  was  at  the  be- 
ginning of  an  extensive  work  of  grace,  when  he  had,  appa- 
rently, received  himself  a  fresh  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Most  of  the  ministers  around  preached  sermons  to  the  people 
in  reference  to  it.  But  he  was  immortal  till  his  work  was 
done.  The  Rev.  Dr.  William  Wylie,  his  brother-in-law,  suc- 
ceeded him  in  his  pastoral  charge. 

FORTIETH   MEETING. 

REHOBOTH,  April  16th,  1793.  — Presbytery  met,  &c. 
The  Presbytery  was  opened  by  Messrs.  Mahon,  Marquis  and 
Mercer,  with  discourses  —  previously  appointed  —  sustained. 

Messrs.  Robert  Galbraith  and  John  Wilkins  appeared  be- 
fore Presbytery,  and  proposed  to  produce  evidence,  in  order 
to  exculpate  themselves  from  a  certain  crime  which  had  been 
laid  to  their  charge,  and  upon  the  account  of  which  they  had 
been  laid  under  censure  by  the  Synod,*  viz. :  that  they  had 

*  The  following  extracts — first,  from  the  Report  of  the  Committee  of 
Synod  in  Mr.  Barr's  case  ;  and  next,  from  the  action  of  Synod  thereon — 
will  explain  this  part  of  the  Records  of  the  Redstone  Presbytery,  fur- 
nished by  Dr.  Foote :  — 

"The  former  prosecutors  or  supporters  of  the  aforesaid  charges 
against  Mr.  Barr  before  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone,  viz. ;  Messrs.  John 
Wilkins,  Robert  Galbraith,  and  George  Wallace,  Senior,  being  called 
upon  collectively  and  severally,  (being  present,)  entirely  declined,  and 


MR.  barr's  case.  447 

confessed  themselves  to  be  influenced  by  fraudulent  motives, 
in  their  prosecution  of  Mr.  Barr  :  and  Presbytery  finding  that 
thev  were  authorized  by  Synod  to  take  evidence,  and  deter- 
mine respecting  the  propriety  of  said  censure,  proceeded  to 
hear  and  examine  such  witnesses. 

The  Rev.  James  Finley  being  solemnly  called  upon  to  de- 
clare the  truth,  saith,  That  being  present,  he  does  not  remem- 
ber to  have  heard  either  Robert  Galbraith  or  John  "Wilkins 
express  anything  to  the  Committee  of  Synod  met  at  Pitts- 
burg, signifying  their  design  of  defrauding  Mr.  Barr  of  his 
salary — nor  does  he  think  that  any  such  idea,  as  is  expressed 
in  the  minutes  of  the  Committee  of  Synod,  in  which  said  gen- 
tlemen are  represented  as  having  been  influenced  by  a  fraudu- 
lent design  against  Mr.  Barr,  was  held  forth  by  them  :  that  he 
does  not  remember  that  said  gentlemen  were  called  upon,  col- 
lectively or  individually,  to  appear  as  prosecutors  against  Mr. 
Barr ;  but  that  the  general  question  being  put  by  the  Com- 

do  decline,  to  have  any  hand,  either  collectively  or  severally,  now  to 
support  these  charges  against  Mr.  Barr.  The  same  gentlemen  afore- 
said declared  before  the  Committee,  that  they  would  never  have  exhibited 
any  charges  against  Mr.  Barr,  had  they  not  been  afraid,  that  if  Mr. 
Barr  left  them,  without  blame,  that  some  arrearages  due  to  Mr.  Barr 
would  still  continue  a  burden  upon  the  congregation,  or,  in  their  own 
words,  'be  saddled  upon  the  congregation/  The  Committee  adjourned 
with  prayer." 

Upon  this  part  of  the  Report  of  the  Committee,  the  action  of  the 
Synod  was  as  follows  :  — 

"  Upon  a  review  of  the  conduct  of  Mr.  Barr's  accusers  in  Pittsburg, 
the  Synod  are  of  opinion,  that  John  Wilkins,  Robert  Galbraith,  and 
George  Wallace,  Esq.,  having  acted  in  a  manner  unbecoming  men  and 
Christians,  in  the  prosecution  of  Mr.  Barr,  as  appears  from  their  own 
confession  of  the  motives  which  prevailed  with  them  to  prosecute  Mr. 
Barr,  and  also  in  deceptions  imposed  by  them  upon  the  Presbytery  of 
Redstone,  should  not  enjoy  the  privileges  of  the  church  in  our  commu- 
nion, until  they  testify  repentance  for  their  unworthy  conduct  —  and 
receive  a  public  rebuke  for  the  same,  before  the  church,  by  a  regular 
minister,  who  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone  for  that 
purpose." 


448  ME.  bark's  case. 

mittee,  "Who  will  come  forward  and  prosecute  Mr.  Barr  ?" 
they  declared  their  willingness  to  appear  before  them  in  the 
same  manner  that  they  had  formerly  done  before  the  Presby- 
tery of  Redstone. 

,  AYilliam  Dunning  being  solemnly  called  upon  to  declare 
the  truth,  saith,  That  being  present  the  whole  time  that  the 
Committee  of  Synod  sat  at  Pittsburg,  on  Mr.  Barr's  affair, 
he  did  not  hear  either  Mr.  Galbraith  or  Mr.  Wilkins  express 
any  design  of  defrauding  the  Rev.  Samuel  Barr  of  his  salary, 
before  said  Committee :  that  neither  of  said  gentlemen  were 
present,  after  the  first  day  that  the  Committee  of  Synod  sat : 
that  said  gentlemen  were  not  called  upon,  collectively  or 
severally,  to  appear  as  prosecutors  against  Mr., Barr  —  but 
that  the  general  question  being  put,  "  Who  will  come  forward 
and  prosecute  Mr.  Barr?"  they  declared  their  willingness  to 
appear  before  them,  in  the  same  manner  that  they  had  for- 
merly done  before  the  Presbytery  of  Redstone. 

The  Presbytery,  after  fully  hearing  the  matter,  and  ex- 
amining the  witnesses  that  were  produced,  and  from  the 
knowledge  that  they  have  of  the  conduct  of  Messrs.  Galbraith 
and  Wilkins  throughout  the  whole  of  this  affair  —  do  judge 
that  they  ought  not  any  longer  to  be  held  under  censure,  as 
it  does  not  appear  that  they  have  been  guilty  of  the  crimes 
alleged  against  them. 

Mr.  Swan  accepted  the  call  to  Long  Run  and  Sewickly  — 
their  Commissioner  requested,  in  behalf  of  said  congregations, 
his  ordination,  as  soon  as  convenient. 

The  congregation  of  Pittsburg  having  applied  to  Presby- 
tery for  Mr.  Mahon's  ordination  —  the  Presbytery,  after 
maturely  deliberating  upon  the  matter,  and  finding  that  our 
Directory  requires  that  ordination  and  instalment  should 
always  go  together  —  and  Mr.  Mahon  having  declared  that 
he  is  not,  as  yet,  clear  for  being  installed  as  the  pastor  of 
that  congregation  —  do  judge,  that  they  cannot  regularly 
proceed  to  his  ordination  at  present ;  but  appoint  him  to  sup- 
ply at  Pittsburg  as  usual. 


MESSRS.    MARQUIS    AND    MERCER    LICENSED.  449 

Congregations  satisfied  witli  the  care  and  diligence  of  their 
respective  pastors.  Mr.  Swan  —  to  prepare  a  discourse  on 
Romans  iii.  31 — -by  next  meeting  —  as  a  part  of  trial  for 
ordination,  at  which  time,  if  the  way  be  clear,  Mr.  M'Millan 
to  preach  the  ordination  sermon ;  and  Mr.  Patterson  to  pre- 
side, and  give  the  charge. 

The  Presbytery  proceeded  to  a  reconsideration  of  the  pro- 
priety of  appointing  Canonsburg  the  seat  of  the  seminary  of 
learning,  which  they  are  appointed  to  superintend;  and  agreed 
to  confirm  their  former  minute  respecting  Canonsburg 
Academy,  with  the  following  addition,  viz. :  that  if  it  should 
appear,  at  a  future  day,  most  conducive  to  the  good  of  the 
church,  that  another  seminary  of  the  like  nature  should  be 
erected  in  our  bounds,  we  will  not  oppose  a  division  of  the 
funds. 

Upon  inquiry  it  appeared  that  the  members  of  Presbytery 
have  made  considerable  progress  in  raising  contributions,  to 
be  put  into  the  fund,  for  the  education  of  poor  and  pious 
youths  for  the  gospel  ministry. 

Mr.  Mercer  —  a  Presbyterial  Exercise  —  sustained.  Mr. 
Marquis — examined  on  Natural  Philosophy — sustained.  Mr. 
Mercer  and  Mr.  Marquis — examined  on  Divinity — sustained. 

"  The  Presbytery  having  received  sufficient  testimonials," 
&c.,  (see  form,)  Messrs.  Marquis  and  Mercer  were  licensed  to 
preach  the  gospel,  and  supplies  over  almost  the  entire  field 
assigned  to  them. 

Agreeably  to  a  recommendation  of  the  General  Assembly, 
Presbytery  proceeded  to  consider  whether  it  would  be  proper 
to  extend  the  time  to  be  spent  by  young  men,  in  the  study  of 
Divinity  to  three  years,  at  least,  before  they  be  taken  on 
trials  for  the  ministry,  and  unanimously  agreed  that  it  would 
not  be  proper  —  and  at  the  same  time  declared  their  entire 
satisfaction  with  the  constitution  of  our  church  on  that  head. 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  James  Power,  Jacob  Jennings  and  James 
Hughes  were  appointed  Commissioners  to  the  next  General 
Assembly. 
29 


450  HISTORY  OF   LONG   RUN   AND    SEWICLKY. 

The  Presbytery  agreed  to  request  Synod,  at  their  next 
meeting,  to  erect  the  Hev.  John  Clark,  John  M'Millan,  Thad- 
deus  Dod,  Joseph  Patterson,  James  Hughes  and  John  Price, 
together  with  the  churches  on  the  west  side  of  the  Mononga- 
hela,  into  a  separate  Presbytery,  to  be  known  by  the  name 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Ohio.  Adjourned  to  meet  at  Long  Run, 
on  the  third  Tuesday  of  October.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

FORTY-FIRST   MfiETma. 

LONG  RUN,  (51)  October  15th,  1793.— Presbytery  met, 
&c.     The  Presbytery  find  that  the  Rev.  Thaddeus  Dod  was 

(51)  Long  Run  was  organized  nearly,  if  not  quite,  as  early  as  the 
Presbytery  of  Redstone.  It  remained  vacant,  and  was  supplied  by  the 
Presbytery  for  several  years,  till,  in  1793,  it  united  with  Sewickly  in 
calling  the  Rev.  William  Swan  to  become  their  pastor,  who  was  ordained 
and  installed  in  that  office  October  16th  of  that  year.  He  continued 
their  pastor  till  October  18th,  1818,  when  he  resigned  this  united  charge 
—  but  in  the  following  summer  was  again  installed  pastor  of  Long  Run 
alone,  and  continued  in  this  relation,  till,  at  his  request,  it  was  dis- 
solved April  17th,  1822.  The  church  continued  vacant  till  April  20th, 
1825,  when  the  Rev.  A.  M'Candless  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor 
of  Long  Run  and  M'Keesport  united.  This  relation  continued  till 
April  8th,  1845,  when  Mr.  M'Candless  resigned  this  charge.  He  was 
succeeded  by  the  Rev.  William  D.  Moore,  who  was  ordained  and  in- 
stalled pastor  of  Long  Run  in  June,  1845.  In  September,  1849,  this 
congregation  again  became  vacant,  when,  for  a  short  time,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Shermer  became  their  pastor,  in  1851.  In  the  ensuing  year,  the  Rev. 
John  A.  Mearne  accepted  a  call,  and  was  ordained  and  installed  their 
pastor,  on  the  19th  of  October,  1852.  Number  of  communicants  re- 
ported, in  1854  —  195. 

This  church  has  seen  more  prosperous  days,  especially  in  1804,  and 
for  some  years  afterwards,  when  the  arm  of  the  Lord  was  made  bare  for 
the  salvation  of  multitudes.  Like  most  of  the  early  churches,  it  has 
been  a  nursery,  whence  not  only  many  have  been  transplanted  to 
heaven  —  but  many,  also,  have  gone  out  to  strengthen  new  churches  in 
the  AVest.  This  is  an  honor  which  the  Lord  has  conferred  upon  many 
of  our  early  churches,  and  it  ought  to  cheer  and  revive  them,  and 
"  strengthen  the  things  that  are  ready  to  die.'' 

As  this  congregation  was  long  united  with  Sewickly,  we  will  briefly 


HISTORY    OF    LONG    RUN    AND    SEWICKLY.  451 

removed  by  death,  on  the  '20ih  of  May  last.  Presbytery  was 
opened  by  Mr.  William  Swan  —  sermon  from  Romans  iii.  31 
—  sustained,  as  part  of  trials  for  ordination. 

sketch  the  history  of  the  latter  also.  Sewickly  is  supposed  to  have  been 
organized  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Power,  as  early  as  177G.  lie  continued  the 
pastor,  in  connection  with  Mount  Pleasant,  till  August  22d,  1787,  when 
he  resigned  the  pastoral  charge  of  Sewickly,  which  continued  vacant 
until,  in  union  with  Long  Run,  it  became  the  pastoral  charge  of  the 
Rev.  William  Swan,  October  IGth,  1793,*  as  above  stated.  It  again  be- 
came vacant  October  18th,  1818.  During  the  previous  time,  especially 
in  1804,  both  the  churches  were  visited  with  a  remarkable  revival  of 
religion,  of  which  we  have  spoken  above.  In  January,  1821,  the  con- 
gregation having  united  with  Mount  Pleasant,  presented  a  call  to  the 
Rev.  A.  0.  Patterson,  D.D.,  who  was  ordained  and  installed  at  Sewickly, 
April  18th,  1821.     Dr.  Patterson  was  dismissed  October  8th,  1834. 

These  churches  having  dissolved  their  connection,  from  a  persuasion 
that  each  of  them  was  now  able  to  support  a  pastor  —  Sewickly,  in 
April,  1836,  gave  a  call  to  the  Rev.  William  Annan,  who  was  installed 
their  pastor  in  June  following.  From  the  weak  and  debilitated  state  of 
his  health,  Mr.  Annan  was  compelled  to  resign  this  pastoral  charge  in 
April,  1838.  In  Decemljer,  1839,  the  Rev.  J.  B.  M'Kee  was  installed 
pastor,  and  continued  till  April,  1842.  After  a  short  period,  the  Rev. 
Richard  Graham  became  the  pastor,  and  continued  till  1850.     In  1852, 

*  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  subscription  paper  in  Sewickly,  for  the  support 
of  Mr.  Swan,  and  may  serve  as  a  sample  of  many  others  before  and  after: 

"We,  the  subscribers,  members  of  Sewickly  congregation,  do  separately  bind 
ourselves  to  pay,  annually,  the  sums  annexed  to  our  names  respectively,  unto  the 
Rev.  William  Swan,  in  consideration  of  our  receiving  one-half  of  his  stated  la- 
bors, during  his  continuance  as  minister  of  the  gospel  in  this  congregation.  One- 
half  of  our  subscription  to  be  paid  in  cash,  and  the  other  half  in  produce,  at  the 
following  rates,  viz. :  —  Wheat  at  four  shillings  per  bushel,  rye  at  three  shillings 
per  bushel,  and  corn  at  two  shillings  and  sixpence  per  bushel  —  to  be  delivered 
at  such  place  or  places,  within  the  bounds  of  the  congregation,  as  said  minister,  or 
a  treasurer  chosen  by  the  people,  may  appoint.  Witness  our  hands,  this  17th  day 
of  August,  1792."  —  Records,  p.  73. 

Wo  have  seen  a  somewhat  similar  subscription  paper  of  the  congregation  of 
Fairfield,  dated  March  14th,  1789,  the  close  of  which  is  in  these  words  : 

"  Said  subscription  to  be  paid  in  the  following  manner,  viz. :  either  in  money 
or  grain,  at  the  following  rates:  —  Wheat  at  four  shillings  the  bushel,  rye  or  corn 
at  two  shillings  and  sixpence  per  bushel  —  said  sums  to  become  due  quarterly, 
and  paid  accordingly,  if  required,  into  the  hands  of  any  person  or  persons  who 
shall  be  appointed  by  said  congregation  to  receive  the  same.  And  said  sums  to 
be  sued  for  as  lawful  debts,  if  payment  neglected." 


452  MR.    MOORE,    A   LICENTIATE,    RECEIVED. 

T^YO  calls  to  Mr.  David  Smith  —  from  George's  Creek  and 
Union,  and  from  Buffalo  —  put  into  his  hands  for  his  con- 
sideration. Three  calls  to  Mr.  Marquis — from  Cross  Creek, 
from  Ebenezer  and  Bethel  on  Blue  Lick,  and  from  Ten-mile 
—  put  into  his  hands  for  his  consideration.  A  call  to  Mr. 
Mercer  from  Mingo  Creek  and  Horse-shoe  —  transmitted  to 
him  through  the  hands  of  Mr.  M'Millan,  he  being  absent. 

Mr.  Swan  was  ordained.  "  The  Presbytery  did,  by  fasting 
and  prayer,  with  the  imposition  of  the  hands  of  Presbytery," 
set  him  apart  to  the  holy  office  of  the  gospel  ministry.  Mr. 
M'Millan  preached  on  the  occasion,  from  Isaiah  Ixii.  6,  7, 
and  presided  —  and  Mr.  Finley  gave  the  charge.  Mr.  S. 
then  took  his  seat  as  a  member. 

Mr.  Moore,  a  licentiate  under  the  care  of  the  Bristol  Asso- 
ciation of  Massachusetts,  being  present,  and  expressing  a  de- 
sire to  itinerate  for  some  time  in  our  bounds ;  upon  his  pro- 
ducino;  sufficient  testimonials  of  his  recrular  licensure  and  sjood 
standing  in  the  church,  the  Presbytery  agreed  to  employ  him, 
and  accordingly  appointed  him  as  supply  over  a  large  portion 
of  their  vacancies,  which  are  mentioned.  Messrs.  Smith  and 
Marquis,  also  —  the  former  sent  as  far  as  Tygart's  Valley, 
Middletown,  (now  Fairmount,)  and  Harrison  County  —  all  in 
Virginia. 

An  appeal  from  the  judgment  of  the  Session  of  Bethel  was 
laid  before  Presbytery,  wherein  David  Tidball  stands  con- 
victed of  incestuous  conduct.  The  Presbytery,  after  hearing 
the  testimony  which  was  before  the  Session,  and  after  ma- 
turely deliberating  upon  the  matter,  are  of  opinion,  that,  on 

the  Rev.  Cyrus  Riggs,  the  present  pastor,  received  and  accepted  a  call 
and  was  installed  soon  after. 

Some  years  ago,  the  congregation  of  "West  Newton  applied  for  and 
obtained  a  separate  organization.  This,  though,  perhaps,  a  wise  and 
necessary  measure,  has  greatly  weakened  Sewickly,  which  had  already 
suffered  much  from  emigration.  It  still  struggles  on,  however,  to  sus- 
tain the  ordinances  of  the  gospel,  and  it  is  hoped  will  yet  see  more  pros- 
perous days,  and  the  return  of  those  gracious  seasons  of  which  their 
fathers  have  told  them. 


A  REFERENCE  FROM  UNITY.  453 

account  of  the  apparent  prejudices  of  the  'witnesses,  and  other 
concurring  circumstances,  the  testimony  was  not  sufficient  to 
ground  that  judgment  upon  —  and  therefore  agree  that  said 
judgment  be  set  aside. 

The  Treasurer  reported  that  he  had  received  as  follows — for 
support  of  Missionaries. 

£,   s  d  £    s  d 

From  Dunlap's  Creek 3    8  2        From  Montour's 2    0  0 

"     Muddy  Creek 2  15  9             "    Raccoon 2    7  0 

«'     Bethel 2    9  G  "     Unity  and  Salem.  ..4  16  11 

**     Pigeon  Creek 4    3  0  "     Mount  Pleasant  ..  .4    0  0 

"     Chartiers 3  IG  3             "     Laurel  Hill 3  15  0 

Total,  £33  lis  7d. 

For  the  payment  of  which  to  the  commissioners  of  Synod  he 
produced  their  receipt. 

The  Presbytery  find  that  Mr.  Cooly's  credentials  have  been 
laid  before  the  General  Assembly  at  their  last  meeting,  and 
were  judged. by  them  to  be  forged,  and  consequently  that  he 
ought  not  to  be  received  as  a  minister  in  good  standing  with 
their  body. 

A  reference  from  the  session  of  Unity,  respecting  a  charge 
exhibited  before  that  session  by  Charles  M'Right  holding  forth 
that  a  certain  Hugh  Bean  had  acted  contrary  to  an  oath 
taken  by  him,  to  abide  by  the  verdict  of  men  in  a  case  referred 
to  them  by  said  Bean  and  M'Right,  and  also  that  Hugh  Bean 
had  said  that  Charles  M'Right  had  acknowledged  himself  to 
be  the  father  of  Hugh  Bean's  daughter's  child,  which  acknow- 
ledgment Charles  M'Right  denies.  And  having  attended  to 
the  testimony  produced,  and  taken  all  the  light  which  they 
could  obtain,  are  of  opinion  that  Hugh  Bean  cannot  be  ad- 
mitted to  distinguishing  privileges  in  our  church,  until  he 
acknowledge  his  wrong  in  swearing  to  abide  by  the  judgment 
of  arbitrators,  not  knowing  but  that  that  judgment  might 
involve  him  in  sin,  and  for  his  not  using  every  means  in  his 
power  to  fulfil  the  obligations  of  said  oath. 

The  Presbytery  are  also  of  opinion  that  the  testimony  pro- 


454  MR.    MAHON    DISMISSED. 

duced  by  Hugh  Bean  has  exculpated  him  so  far  of  the  fact 
alleged  against  him  in  the  latter  charge,  that  they  do  not 
think  him  liable  to  any  censure  upon  the  account  thereof. 
The  Presbytery  ordered  Mr.  M'Pherrin  to  read  this  judgment 
publicly  in  the  congregation,  upon  Hugh  Bean's  compliance 
therewith.  Dr.  Lindley  and  Moses  Coe  —  leave  of  absence. 
James  Christy  came  before  Presbytery,  and  requested  a  recon- 
sideration of  a  former  judgment  of  Presbytery  whereby  he 
looks  upon  himself  to  be  aggrieved.  The  Presbytery  agreed 
to  reconsider  said  judgment  at  their  next  meeting.  Mr.  Ma- 
hon,  having  made  application  for  ordination,  and  having  pro- 
fessed a  willingness  to  be  installed  as  pastor  of  Pittsburg  con- 
gregation. Presbytery  proceeded,  agreeably  to  our  constitu- 
tion, to  converse  with  him  upon  his  acquaintance  with 
experimental  religion,  and  proposed  to  him  several  cases  of 
conscience;  but  did  not  receive  such  satisfaction  as  would 
induce  them  to  proceed  to  his  ordination  at  present.  But  if 
at  any  other  time  he  shall  think  himself  able  to  give  further 
light  upon  these  matters,  Presbytery  shall  be  ready  to  receive 
it.  Mr.  S.  Mahon  requested  to  be  dismissed,  and  his  request 
was  granted.  Robert  Dickey  having  given  offence  to  the  ses- 
sion of  Unity  congregation  by  going  to  hear  a  certain  Mr. 
Dun,  a  preacher  of  immoral  character,  and  said  session  and 
Robert  Dickey  having  different  sentiments  concerning  the  satis- 
faction to  be  given  for  said  offence,  both  parties  appeared 
before  Presbytery,  and  submitted  the  whole  affair  to  their 
decision.  Presbytery,  having  heard  the  parties,  and  taken 
all  the  light  which  they  could  obtain,  are  of  opinion  that  Ro- 
bert Dickey  acted  imprudently  in  going  to  hear  Mr.  Dun,  and 
that  he  ought  to  acknowledge  his  fault  in  so  doing  before  he 
is  admitted  to  the  distinguishing  privileges  of  the  church. 
Ordered  that  the  above  judgment  be  read  in  the  presence  of 
Unity  congregation,  in  case  of  Robert  Dickey's  compliance 
therewith. 

Mr.  Power  appointed  Treasurer  of  Redstone  Presbytery. 
The  Presbytery  were   informed,   by  Mr.  John  Baird,  that 


PRESBYTERY    DIVIDED.  455 

Mount  Pleasant  congregation  had  arranged  with  Mr.  Power 
for  all  his  time"  as  their  pastor;  they  promising  yearly  a  salary 
of  X120  from  1st  of  August,  1792.  Mr.  M'Pherrin  chosen 
Stated  Clerk.  Sjmod  having  appointed  the  2d  Thursday  in 
November  to  be  a  day  of  solemn  fasting  and  prayer  through- 
out their  churches,  to  supplicate  Almighty  God  to  pour  out 
his  holy  Spirit  on  our  assemblies  and  revive  religion  in  our 
land,  Presbytery  agreed  to  ratify  the  appointment  of  Synod, 
and  recommend  the  careful  observance  of  the  day  in  the  man- 
ner specified  by  Synod  to  all  the  congregations  under  their 
care. 

The  Presbytery  agreed  that  the  candidates  under  their 
care  shall  have  liberty  to  declare  their  acceptance  of  any  of 
the  calls  now  in  their  hands  before  either  of  the  Presbyte- 
ries of  Ohio  or  Redstone  ;  and  futther  appoint  Messrs.  James 
Finley  and  James  Power,  or  either  of  them,  to  furnish  any 
of  the  candidates  with  a  dismission,  should  they  apply ;  and 
that  Mr.  Mercer  shall  have  his  appointments  made  out  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Ohio,  if  he  thinks  fit,  until  our  next  spring 
meeting.  Presbytery,  finding  that  the  Synod,  at  their  last 
meeting,  did  erect  the  Rev.  Messrs.  John  Clark,  John  M'Mil- 
lan,  Joseph  Patterson,  James  Hughes,  and  John  Brice,  into 
a  separate  Presbytery,  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Ohio,  they  are  therefore  dismissed  from  this  Pres- 
bytery. Presbytery  adjourned  to  meet  at  Mount  Pleasant 
the  4th  Tuesday  of  December  next.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

Thus  ended  the  Old  Presbytery  of  Redstone. 


APPENDIX 

TO    THE    RECORDS 


There  are  some  things  that,  perhaps,  may  not  be  without  interest, 
which  we  have  gathered  from  the  Records,  and  which  may  be  distinctly 
noticed  here. 

1.  The  ruling  elders  whose  names  appear  in  the  minutes  were  from 
all  parts  of  the  wide  bounds  of  the  PresbytO'y.  They  were  generally 
a  noble  set  of  men.  The  following  is  a  list  of  their  names  ;  the  figure 
attached  denoting  the  number  of  times  they  represented  their  churches 
in  the  Presbytery : — 

James  Edgar,  9.  Patrick  Scott,  6.  Patrick  M'Cullough,  6.  John 
Shields,  6.  James  Dinsmore,  5.  Joseph  Coe,  5.  James  Brice,  5.  Wil- 
liam M'Comb,  4.  Hugh  Scott,  4.  John  Neil,  4.  Demas  Lindley,  4. 
William  Smilie,  4.  John  Allen,  4.  Thomas  Bracken,  3.  Samuel  Fin- 
ley.  3.  John  Griffin,  3.  John  Baird,  3.  Edward  Cook,  2.  John 
Power,  2.  John  Parker,  2.  Andrew  Frazer,  2.  James  Kirkpatrick,  2. 
Thomas  Marquis,  2.  John  Cowan,  2.  John  M'Dowell,  2.  Daniel 
Extell,  2.  John  Perry,  2.  Josiah  Scott,  2.  William  M'Farland,  2. 
George  Shields,  2.  JEneas  M'Allister,  2.  Jacob  Cook,  2.  Alexander 
M'Clure,  2.  Samuel  M'Clure,  2.  James  Erwin,  2.  John  Jack,  2. 
John  Moore,  2.  William  Waddel,  2.  John  Gaston,  William  AVight- 
man,  Daniel  Reeder,  John  Thompson,  John  Wright,  Thomas  Wilson, 
John  Fulton,  Joseph  Pierce,  John  J|)hn8ton,  John  Shanon,  Joseph 
Vance,  Moses  Latta,  George  Marquis,  James  Bradford,  John  Rob,  Hugh 
Morton,  Samuel  Sorels,  Robert  Adams,  John  Hopkins,  Stephen  Cook, 
James  Wilson,  William  Steel,  James  Wilkin,  Robert  M'Comb,  Samuel 
HoUidy,  James  Ewing,  John  Vance,  James  Barr,  Joseph  Caldwell, 
William  M'Candless,  James  Findley,  William  Sloan,  James  M'Clain, 
Alexander  M'Candless,  John  Guthrie,  Alexander  Wright,  James  M'Kee, 
Samuel  Riddel,  James  Pair,  Thomas  Hall,  John  Hamilton,  William 
Gordon,  John  Steel,  John  jM'Pherrin,  Thomas  Marshal,  Alexander 
Bailv,  William   Brown,    Thomas  Armstrong,    Peter  Wallace,    Robert 

(456) 


APPENDIX    TO    THE    RECORDS.  457 

Moore,  James  Allison,  Joseph  Thorn,  John  Danaughy,  George  M'Cul- 
lough,  Joseph  Price,  John  Travers,  Daniel  Ilenricks,  each  of  them,  1. 

2.  A  list  of  the  Exegeses  given  by  the  Presbytery  till  1703 : — 
James  Hughes — An  sit  originale  peccatum  ? 

John  Brice — An  mortuorum  resurrectio  erit? 

Joseph  Fatierson — AVhether  miracles  are  evidence  of  a  divine  mission  ; 
and  what  miracles  do  prove  such  mission? 

John  M'GrcaJij — An  sit  concursus  Dei  cum  omnibus  Ilominum  actio- 
nibus  ? 

John  M'Pherrin — Num  Christus,  qua  Mediator,  adorandus  sit? 

Samuel  Porter  —  An  lapsus  Adami,  omnibus  ejus  posteris,  naturali 
generatione  ab  eo  oriundis  imputatur  ? 

Itohert  Marshall  —  An  constat  fidei  essentia  in  persuasione,  quod  re- 
missa  nobis  peccata,  et  nostrum  Christus  sit? 

George  Hill — Quid  sit  discrimen  inter  focdera  gratia)  et  operura  ? 

Mr.  Hanna — In  quo  constat  essentia  fidei  salvivica  ? 

William  Swan — An  gratia  convertens  sit  irresistibilis  ? 

David  Smith  —  Quomodo  miracula  probant  Scripturas  sacras  esse 
divinas? 

Thomas  Marqids  —  An  reatus  peccati  Adami  omnibus  suis  posteris, 
naturali  generatione  ab  eo  oriundis,  imputatur  ? 

Bogd  Mercer — An  decreta  Dei  conditionata,  vel  absolute  sint? 

3.  Messrs.  Hughes  and  Brice  were  licensed  April  IGth,  1788 ; 
M'Gready  and  Patterson,  Aug.  13th,  1788  ;  Mr.  M'Pherrin,  August  20th, 
1789  ;  Mr.  Porter,  November  12th,  1789  ;  Mr.  Marshall,  April  23d,  1790  ; 
Messrs.  Swan  and  Hill,  December  22d,  1791;  Mr.  D.  Smith,  November 
14th,  1792 ;  Messrs.  Marquis  and  Mercer,  April  19th,  1793. 

4.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  places  for  which  supplies  were  fur- 
nished. A  few  of  them  soon  disappear  from  the  minutes,  either  be- 
cause thoy  obtained  settled  pastors,  or  were  merged  into  other  places. 
Some  of  them  do  not  appear  till  towards  the  close  of  the  old  Presby- 
tery. We  give  them  in  the  order  of  time  in  which  they  are  found  on 
the  Records : — 

"  Rehoboth,  Roundhill,  Tyrone,  !Muddy  Creek,  Ohio  Conrt-IIouse, 
George's  Creek,  South  Fork  of  Ten-Mile,  Short  Creek,  Unity,  Robinson's 
Run,  Sewickly,  Pittsburg,  Long  Run,  Three  Springs,  Parkinson's  Mill, 
Bullock  Pens,  Pike  Run,  Jackson's  Fort,  Donegal,  Brush  Run,  Mon- 
teur's  Run,  Three  Ridges,  Turtle  Creek,  Mill  Creek,  Beaver  Dam, 
King's  Creek,  Forks  of  Cheat,  Forks  of  Wheeling,  Potatoe  Garden, 
Mingo  Creek,  Poke  Run,  Ilorse-shoe  Bottom,  Lower  Buffalo,  Fairfield, 
Sandy  Creek,  Salem,  Bethel  on  Blacklick,  Ebonezer  on  Blacklick,  Mor- 
gantown,  Crab  Orchard,  Raccoon,  White  Thorn,  Washington,  Dunlap's 


458  APPENDIX   TO    THE    PcECORDS. 

Creek,  (always  written  Delap's  Creek,)  Ebenezer  on  Puckcty,  Ran- 
dolph, Patterson's  Creek,  Ilollidy's  Cove,  Mouth  of  Raccoon,  Clarks- 
burg, Middlctown,  Puckety,  Campbell's  Tent,  Stony  Creek,  Stonccoal 
Fork,  Tygart's  Valley."  These  places  are  found  over  a  vast  range  of 
country.     Several  of  them  are  no  longer  known  by  their  old  names. 

5.  One  peculiarity  in  regard  to  the  old  Records  is,  that  there  is  no 
account  of  Sessional  Records  or  Statistical  Reports.  The  truth  is,  that 
in  general,  no  records  were  kept.  Session-books  were,  with  hardly  an 
exception,  not  to  be  found.  In  some  cases,  Sessions  appear  to  have 
made  some  minutes  and  taken  testimony  in  judicial  proceedings;  but 
they  have  generally  been  lost  or  destroyed.  And,  for  want  of  statisti- 
cal Reports,  it  is  difficult  to  ascertain  the  number  of  communicants  in 
the  several  churches  when  they  were  organised,  and  for  many  years 
after. 

6.  The  judicial  cases  which  came  before  the  old  Presbytery  appear 
to  have  been  eleven  in  all ;  viz. :  (1)  The  charges  of  John  Matson 
against  the  Rev.  James  Dunlap  —  2d  meeting.  (2)  Robert  Hall's  com- 
plaint against  session  of  Mount  Pleasant — 4th  and  19th  meetings.  (3) 
Henry  Taylor's  appeal  from  session  of  Chartiers  in  respect  to  promis- 
cuous dancing — 5th,  9th,  and  12th  meetings.  (4)  A  reference  from  the 
session  of  Dunlap's  Creek  in  the  case  of  Armstrong  Porter — 14th  meet- 
ing. (5)  The  case  of  George  Latimer  and  Deborah  Ross ;  Mount  Plea- 
sant session — 15th  meeting.  (6)  The  case  of  John  Coleman — not  issued 
— 19th  meeting.  (7)  An  appeal  of  Hugh  Stirling  from  session  of  Bethel 
— 21st  meeting.  (8)  Mr.  Barr's  case  and  that  of  the  session  of  Pitts- 
Ijurg — 25th  meeting.  (9)  A  reference  from  session  of  Lebanon,  in  the 
case  of  John  Barnet — 31st  meeting.  (10)  A  reference  from  the  session 
of  Congruity,  in  the  case  of  James  Christy  and  Rebecca  Gordon — 38th 
meeting.  (11)  A  reference  from  session  of  Unity,  in  the  case  of  Robert 
Picky — 41st  meeting.  The  several  judges  appear  to  us  to  evince  great 
deliberation,  wisdom,  and  discrimination.  We  recommend  them  as 
models.  There  seems  to  be  a  parental  kindness  and  tenderness,  min- 
gled with  just  severity,  where  it  was  necessar}^  They  seem  never  to 
have  forgotten  that  discipline  is  for  edification,  and  not  destruction.  It 
was  not  in  the  summary  style  of  our  times ;  when  the  decision  often  is 
"  sustained  or  not  sustained,'*  or  "  sustained  in  part."  Great  injustice 
may  be  done  in  this  hasty  way.     Let  us  return  to   "  the  good  old 

.  paths." 

7.  The  congregations  in  Western  Pennsylvania,  it  is  believed,  were 
much  assisted  in  their  efi'orts  to  erect  houses  of  worship,  by  their  breth- 
ren east  of  the  mountains.  It  cannot  now  be  ascertained  to  what 
extent  this  aid  was  received.    The  proper  vouchers  are,  perhaps,  almost 


APPENDIX   TO   THE    RECORDS.  459 

entirely  lost.  So  little  now  is  known  on  this  subject,  that  nianv  i"-no- 
rantly  suppose  that  our  forefathers  neither  sought  nor  received  such 
aid ;  and  when  called  upon  now  to  assist,  by  their  contributions,  the 
noble  Church  Extension  enterprise  of  our  day,  close  their  hearts  and 
their  hands  against  all  such  appeals,  by  referring  to  the  way  they  sup- 
pose our  early  settlers  got  along ;  and  ask,  in  a  tone  that  shows  they 
regard  the  question  as  settling  the  point,  "  AV'hy  cannot  people  now  do 
as  our  fathers  did?"  It  would  not  be  difficult  to  answer  the  question, 
were  the  facts  of  the  case  as  they  assume.  But  it  turns  out  by  a  few 
isolated  cases,  that  have  been  accidentally  preserved  from  oblivion,  that 
it  is  highly  probable  most  of  our  early  churches  were  assisted  by  their 
eastern  friends  in  this  very  work. 

For  instance,  from  the  Records,  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Barr,  it  is  evident 
that  he  had  collected  a  considerable  sum  of  money  in  New  York  and 
Philadelphia,  to  aid  the  congregation  of  Pittsburg  in  the  erection  of 
their  second  house  of  worship. 

And  the  following  copy  of  a  receipt,  found  on  a  blank  leaf  of  an  old 
skeleton  of  one  of  Mr.  Smith's  sermons,  will  show  that  the  people  of 
Cross  Creek  and  Upper  Buffalo  received  similar  aid  :  — 

''October,  17th,  1783.  —  Received  of  Mr.  Smith,  ten  pounds,  fifteen 
shillings,  of  the  money  which  he  collected  in  Philadelphia,  for  the  use 
of  erecting  houses  of  worship  in  these  congregations — I  say,  received 
by  me.  WxM.  Sm'^ILEY." 

Is  it  not  highly  probable  that  all  the  other  ministers  made  similar 
collections,  to  aid  their  people?  It  may  be  impossible  now  to  find  any 
similar  receipt,  like  the  above.  But  vre  have  not  a  doubt,  that  if  all 
the  cases  could  be  known,  our  people,  in  view  of  their  own  early  his- 
tory, would  be  left  without  all  excuse — as  to  contributing  liberally  to 
aid  our  new,  struggling  Western  churches. 

These  remarks  are,  perhaps,  equally  applicable  to  the  churches  east 
of  the  mountains,  and  in  the  Cumberland  Valley  and  Valley  of  Vir- 
ginia. And  if  we  go  back  to  a  still  earlier  period,  were  not  most  of  our 
oldest  congregations  in  Philadelphia,  New-Jersey,  Delaware,  and  Mary- 
land, assisted  by  contributions  from  Scotland  and  Ireland  ?  This  whole 
subject  merits  further  investigation ;  and  if  the  results  would  furnish 
fresh  incentives  to  the  liberality  of  our  churches  towards  that  most 
neglected  department  of  religious  beuevolerrce,  they  would  aaiolv' 
reward  the  labor  of  such  investigation. 


THE   END. 


T^-^  ARIES 


11  HIS 


ZZ%'^ 


